cylinder head chambers are different (but heads can be interchanged)
pistons are dished on the 22rte (to lower compression)
oil passages in the block are slightly different, but they are not incompatible and there's a casting in the exhaust side of the block for the turbo oil return.
in general, the 22rte is below the 22re in power when revved less than around 2000 rpms, and provides around 50% more power than the 22re above 3000 rpms through redline.
as is the case with most turbos, the 22rte is, by design and such, not going to offer any more power from idle to low/mid RPM's than the 22re can, and at lower rpms may offer less power due to the lower compression ratio.
on the other hand, the 22rte design is quite capable of accomodating a supercharger which will compensate for the low-rpm doldrums (aka "turbo lag").
so now you have another option to consider.
