I'm working on a project that requires a controller faster than a standard 8051.

Why on earth
* use the 251
* make a programmer

If you need a lot (100x) faster than "a standard 8051" have a look at the SILabd f12x (somewhat expensive). They even come with a "free ICE" . If a little faster is enough have a look at the Philips LPC9xx (very cheap) they run 18MHz at 2 clocks ~9 times faster than the "standard". If 4 times as fast is enough have a look at the Philips P89V51Rx2 or P89C66x. All the above are ISP so you need no programmer.

Erik