The cl9 is at the rear door of the dc5r until end of 3rd gear, after that the cl9 starts pulling away until beating the dc5r. This is due to the higher top end. Still acceleration is very close.

In terms of handling some mods will help, obviously wont be as good as the rac style chassis the type r has but i reckon it will do the job.
And a k24/k20 frank is exactly what i am planning to do.