Although testbedding an en-expensive race gave disappointing results, I realized another option: en expensive instead of cheap almost completely pays for TT, which reduces terraforming costs by 30% and will in the very long run offer additional terraforming possibilities. Maybe with the extra 60 points for start@3 this might not be too sluggish at the start, as that not only gives a small boost to starting production but also obviates the need to spend early turns on expensive prop and bio to get them to 2 (for mizer + terraform +/- 7)