Engine build

[A4SoftWalker]

My budget is around 5k with some wiggle room in the event I need something extra.

At our California cost of living that will not get you far... Are you doing your own wrenching? If not and in even if you are doing your own wrenching - your instincts to stick with elim upgrades are good. Limit yourself to the 300 hp range and your engine with some input and knowledgeable care from you will last a long time. Maintenance and nickel & dime issues will eat all your savings up quickly enough as it is. A build will easily double your anticipated costs especially if you are paying for labor.

You will need a lot of ancillary supporting parts. What do you have now?

In addition to turbo of sorts _ _ _ _
Tune
Exhaust
Intercooler
BBK
Clutch
Suspension (sways optional but have a significant effect).

If you are a go-getter you will be at the end of your money quickly.
If you can hover over the classifieds like a vulture then you can stretch your dollar further.

Or you can have some combination of the 2 above options. Example I got a new oil pan from the classifieds, my Ferrea valves from ebay, Stasis BBK, Stasis center diff, and Stasis suspension on Christmas sale and so on. I exceeded my estimates easily.

Good luck with whatever path you choose.