Hey Greg-nice to meet you. I Fly a C model which is not terribly different from the D models. Unfortunately I am a foot shorter than you so I cannot appreciate what you are evaluating. The only common thread is I also owned an Archer-no issues for me on head room or pedal room on both of these birds!!
I think the Meyers is a great 2 person cross country machine, particularly for your mission as you defined above. The 3,000# gross weight is definitely the limiting factor. Most of these girls have an empty weight of around 2100# +/-, so a 900# useful load with 480# in full fuel leaves you 420# for people and stuff. With two 170# FAA types, that leaves you 80# of stuff, which is a lot for most aviators.
I am flying behind a IO-520 at 285HP. I know some of the guys have had custom OH’s on 520’s and 550’s and are getting a nice bump in BHP.
Definitely find a 200 and sit in it and see if you can adjust the seat to your satisfaction. if you can then it’s all good from there. They are sweet flying birds.
Good luck-
Ed