Civic Cat Introduction

That's a 1990 Civic DX, and a '97 Arctic Cat Thundercat 900.  By combining the two, I hope to build the first SCCA Rallycross M2 car to the extent of the rules that I know of.  I'm sure at this point some other people somewhere are working on similar projects.

At first glance, this may seem like a bad idea.  But hear me out:
Project Goals
1) Build a vehicle significantly (~1sec/40 second course) faster than current M2 competitor cars
2) Win M2 class at rallycross nationals
3) Do this for under $3000
4) Possible $2014 challenge car (but I haven't actually read those rules yet)

Target Specs:
a) 1500lbs with me sitting in it
b) 160hp, available (after drivetrain ineffeciencies) from 20-60mph with CVT
c) ... frt/rear weight distribution (Still deciding - thinking 60/40)

Current condition:

 

Current plan:

-9:1 reduction after CVT secondary accomplished with two differentials (sealing, durability).  

-2nd differential, between front wheels, will be limited slip

-Extensively modified subframe to support new drivetrain

-Complete stripping of Civic - no interior, dash, engine, trans, electrical, fuel tank+pump, doors, rear glass, rear hatch, bumpers, trim, wipers, hvac, functional passenger door, etc....

-Use snomobile wire harness (~3 wires, awesome), pull start, mikuni fuel pump+3 gallon cell, no-assist brakes.  Will have enough amperage to run illuminated gauges, brake light, and 2 HID's forward with snomobile generator

-13" wheels, autograss racing tires

-May require roll hoop, or bars for belts pending investigating door and stock belt construction

-Fabricated 2-stroke expansion chambers (3x)

-AN brake lines run in car, 50/50 frt/rear before rear brake bias adjuster.  Rear drums OK

I have multiple ideas for engine and CVT layouts which should package, one which mounts the engine in the passenger seat area.  All layouts will require elimination of passenger seat area at least to package the 3 large expansion pipes.  Too bad nobody will be able to ride along!

The stock car should weigh about 2000lbs.  Replacing the stock engine and trans should save over 100lbs right off the bat...is there another 500lbs to be removed? I will corner weigh the shell when fully stripped to decide on engine and trans layout.  I will plan on testing with floor-mounted ballast to consider vehicle weight vs CG advantages, and hope to learn what's fastest.  I could potentially run ballast on some events, and none in others after seeing what sort of risk there is of traction rolling.

So how heavy will it actually be?  Will a CVT respond quickly enough and will the car actually be fast?  Will I be able to spin the tires through 30mph like I hope? Have I forgotten things I should consider (like cutting brakes...)?