I have thought about a simmilar rear engined hotrod, except I had the idea for a Subaru WRX STI EJ257 with a common 5MT 5 speed and flipped R&P.. Beetle guys do it all the time, and boxers have a great rumble.. I actually just pulled an EJ25D from my '99 Legacy. Too bad it's been cooked bad and is a pile of junk or I'd have another project
Scratch building is great, make everything as you want it and it's easier than modding something else. With my Scratch built rat, I ended up channeling it 6" and changing the door openings after I initially constructed it. Also considered chopping it, but I think it's good as is.