What's the best conversion route for 250-300bhp

So folks looking for your thoughts and experiences if you could. 
I have a little mk1 16v and the long term goal with that is fitting it out with a turbo. 
I also have just got my hands on a mk1 restoration job and needing some advice with what route to go down on this one. Am looking to acheive in the region of 250-300 bhp and really like the idea of a diesel as I already have the 16v sitting there. I used to have a 20v turbo caddy and did like that so did wonder if a BAM engine is the way to go???

So if diesel is the way to go, which engine/ gearbox and mods are needing to gain? I have heard a PD 130 might be the way to go but is there a newer engine that's maybe more suited to this power? 
Or maybe a BAM and do some tuning to it??? 

What's the thoughts of the experts? 
Thanks in advance folks? 

I've owned, built and driven turbo high power golfs. 

The pd130 mapped to 170 in my Mk2 was the best engine I've ever had in a golf.. the power delivery was amazing, the sound of a de catted straight though pipe on it too was immense. 

I can't begin to imagine the power and torque of a highly tuned one! 

Go for a pd engine, then talk to darkside to make it savage!!

I suppose I wouldn't want to drive a 300BHP Caddy, too light on the Back End, and it would scare the bejeezers outta me.  Shoot sometimes when I am cruising down the Interstate over here @ 95 MPH that is a tad scary….Specially with the top down…And you don't need a straight pipe for Noise with the Top Down at that speed… Normally I cruise it at 80-84mph…Only on the interstates.

I think diesel ma be the way to go. I have heard a few at shows etc and sound real good…
Would a pd be reliable at that sort of power? It's not going to be used on track days but it's nice to have it there 😉

Also the caddy was a std 180bhp 20v turbo quick enough for the caddy but not for the golf am planing 👍👍

I have had 2 PD150's

One in a Mk4 golf running 196bhp and the other in a Leon with 215bhp.

The Leon was fast, really fast and very sooty.

If felt a hell of a lot faster than my VRS running 260bhp probably down to the torque.

I dont think you'd really want any more in a Mk1 (well I wouldnt)

Thanks for the input. 
What had you done to the Leon to achieve the 215bhp? Was this running a six speed box? 
It would be a little pocket rocket that's for sure 🚀

Not an enormous amount to be honest.

It was a 55k mile engine and only had a mild steel decat on it, egr delete, pipercross panel and a slightly larger smic.

It went on a mobile rolling road in the back of a HGV trailer and filled it with smoke but the figures were impressive.

It did have the 6 speed box and if I drove sensibly on the 20mile drive home from a shift on the doors I would see close to 60mpg

Im a huge fan of the 150ARL lumps

Some say the cams are fragile and have to have very particular oil but thats no big deal and I never had an issue

My mk1 golfs running a 20vt agu 260bhp with no lsd and it's exciting to drive.

Lsd needs to be next then want to take over 300 when forged engine.