Looking to jump in feet first - but don't want to land on my arse

I am looking to start a homebuilt project in 2004. My new career keeps me at
home with much free time during the day, and a two-car garage at my
disposal.

I have researched many different companies and aircraft
(http://www.homebuilt.org/kits/kits-acftdesc.html) and have pretty much made
up my mind to go with an RV-9A.

My dilemma is that I know next to nothing about homebuilding and aircraft
engines. It seems that to start building an aircraft, that you need to know
which engine (not an auto conversion) and which instruments will go into the
aircraft before starting (leaning towards the BMA EFIS/One). Is there any
literature that would make the process of choosing go any easier? I have
read almost everything I can and everyone seems to have an opinion. I am
looking for factual information to help me make the correct choices. My
first (correct?) choice was to look for a plane which suited the type of
flying that I would be doing and that I felt that I could complete.

This will be a large investment for me and I really don't want to end up as
many homebuilt projects seem to...18,000 pieces of an airplane jammed into
the corner of a garage, gathering dust, so any help is greatly appreciated.


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