A VNT-15 will work great for that setup.
Only the "MOER POWER", Tim Taylor guys will say different.
18psi is a good goal for the VNT-15 even though it will go higher.
Right now I'm running one on a 1.5 and dreaming of the next 1.6 VNT.
This turbo really shows where the power is on each engine.
The 1.5 is missing torque/power when I take off, and comes on at midrange, I like reving it to the limit,.. the sound, ha.
Some of that could just be different pump tuning.
I believe it was ROR that mentioned using a non-turbo pump.
That's what I use.
It keeps the cost down.
The turbo pump doesn't get you more power,
9mm will pump; what 9mm can pump.
A turbo pump will help keep smoke down before boost comes up.
A VNT provides boost earlier, so there isn't as much need for that, there isn't 2000 RPM of no boost.
It will still leave a black cloud if you stomp on it.
Stomping on it at idle will leave pieces of soot floating in the air, inside the cloud.
A stock turbo gives you no boost when revved out of gear.
How much boost will a VNT-15 give you if you floor it out of gear?
2.25" fits great.
More than that might get in the way of the nuts/studs that hold it to the turbo.
ROR points out that the KP39 (larger VNT from a later PD) is probably the cure for that.
He also mentions that the VNT will help quiet the exhaust,.. he had the vanes tied closed,..
because if you ever heard one with the vanes tied open you'd think differently

A 2.25" TT with borla sounded quiet (I think it had a resonator too),
but my 2.5" TT, with muffler that has a couple 3" turndowns,.. no resonator, out is too loud with vanes open, even at idle.