[Vwdiesel] Input on new project

[S Boser]

Hi All

I'm asking for input on my next project, my first magazine article has been officially published (April / May HomePower)and I've been working on a series of articles as my next project and I'd like all of your input. It will be a series of articles outlining the purchase, refurbishment and necessary modifications to make a VW Diesel a Hybrid killer.
Originally I was planning on using a later model Jetta MkII but presently being cash poor, I couldn't find anyone that was interested in trading my VW diesel pickup for a 1986 or later Jetta Diesel. Well I can't wait any longer I need to get started so I've decided to use my daughters 1981 Rabbit instead. I think a Rabbit is probably better in the sense its lighter and in my experience basically more efficent. And of course everything I do to the Rabbit can be done to any of the indirect injection motors.
I'm thinking a total budget of $3000 is reasonable, the plan is to be able to produce a car that approaches 60mpg and has similar performance to a Honda Civic Hybrid. I chose the Civic over the Toyota because a friend owns a Civic hybrid and can provide me with real world baseline data.
I want to mention the VWdiesel list in the article because its the best source of knowledge on the planet, and if anyone thinks that might be a problem please mention it. 
The Rabbit has 177,000 miles and low compression on cylinder 2 and a new injection pump. part of the series will include choices on rebuild or reringing. And dialing in injection pump volume. I've got a 4 channel recording thermocouple I plan on modifying a manifold and measuring EGT at each exhaust port. I also plan on modifying the volume screw so it can be adjusted inside the cockpit. I think monitoring the EGT will allow me to reduce the volume to a minimum without damaging the motor. 
I'd like to install a Turbo and if anyone can offer a hand in locating the needed parts it would be helpful. I've been collecting parts to build a trip computer so I can measure real time mileage, but time to work on it is killing me. Any suggestions on a comercially available trip computer would be great as well.
Anyway the end result should be interesting reading. 

Thank you in advance.

Steve