Hang on.
Why try to find a sub-3K aircraft to fit with an almost 2K EFIS?
EFIS in a Veep?
Surely, if it's noisy the engine's working, if it's noisy and doesn't smell of burning the engine is working well.
I've got 95% of a VP-2 which I intend to fly some day, when I get round to re-building the few bits that need doing. I love it to bits but:
a) I've yet to fly it
b) I didn't get this much good advice before I bought it