priuses use a very small four cylinder engine to turn an electric motor to charge the battery, or to provide extra power to the electric motor. that is the drive train. i don't remember if the engine increases rpm, or if it just runs at one speed the whole time though. i would find an engine that has just enough power to run the electric motor, and be able to be started by that electric motor as well. i dont think i would want to try and push around the 258 just to spin an electric motor. another thought is, you will want to add electric power steering, find a new way to have an assist for brakes. im not sure how gm or toyota does it. and you will want a A/C compressor that is ran electrically. the early priuses also have a 12v battery to power everything else in the car. so you will need a way to keep that charged, i believe there is a convertor for that. i do think the eagle looks way better than a first gen prius any day
i just seen that this was an old post, wish i would have seen that earlier. btw sorry about the mention of the toyota