The suspension feedback can be tailored to your taste with the aftermarket. If you want the extra 0.2L, you are better off just buying the short block and if you want a *little* gearing ala ap2 just up your FD to 4.44 or 4.45

 

I agree with the above...if you want a difference in handling (on either generation of car) all you have to do is change out suspension parts as needed depending on your tastes. Spring rates alone will make an enormous difference--you could easily make an AP1 understeer more than a stock AP2, or make an AP2 oversteer like crazy. The car's total weight and how it's distributed is going to be more or less identical.

 

Agreed Plus unless you have everything to return it to stock you are going to lose money when selling. I imagine it would be cheaper just to buy a Ap2 engine. The great thing about these cars almost all the parts are interchangeable between the two models.

 

I would just get an ap2 long block if I was you.. And keep your ap1 transmission so you have better gears for boost..

 

I do have everything to return to stock, on top of that I have a buyer for almost all my part as he he as a stock 01. So I can make it make sense if I wanted to.
As for the handling, what can you do to ap1 to make it stick more? Bars? What about an ap2 to make it more tail happy.
I have h&r springs and I really love them but maybe a sway bar to keep it planted would be nice

 

Well on mine I installed kw v3 Coilover with bars and braces and rs3 tires man this thing handles amazingly but then again the v3 are expensive also getting your car cornered balanced helps as well

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A thicker rear bar gives more overstear and a thicker front will give you understeer. You want more grip? Tires, tires, tires and a touch of camber. If you want the ap2, just get it. Performance wise ap1 vs ap2 is a wash unless you're building a FI monster or you're going for big NA numbers in which case it still doesn't matter cause you'd be getting a stroker crank and rods/pistons.

 

Powerwise your f20 can make just as much power

 

That's because it's a subjective matter. You'd really have to drive one to determine your preference no matter how much you read.