I've done a few pintos in me time, inc a stroker one,(2373cc).
Cheapest route right away is cologne V6 pistons, +90" these wil take it to nearly 2100(2086)cc, heads respond very well to porting, starting with the injection head ther eis less work to do so should be a bit cheaper, but ultimately same as std carb head once ported.
I ran mine mostly with piper 285 cam, long pads(followers) and long pad studs, the std ones can rip out the head when long pads are used(needed for cam), is it going to be carb or efi ?, for carbs best one I used was a 40DFI, which was the upgrade option on the V6 essex 3 litre engine, a carb where both throttle open at same time mechanically, not by vacuum.
I always had my pinto's balanced and with a extra thou piston clearance made much more free revving, and better at high rpm with arp rod bolts, I was hitting 7800 no problem.
tabetha