this question probably belongs in the warbird section,but I will give you the short answer.
when looking at a engine rating on a plane you have to consider if you are going to have retracts and any extra features that a warbird may have that add weight.
every plane I have that is a warbird is at, or above, the max rating for engine.
they seem to fly better with a little more power in the nose.
you will get it to fly, but your better off with a Hangar-9 60 size P-40 with that motor,or somthing in that size range.