My vote is Ls cause i see a lot of guys pushing close to 300hp and 220-250 torque. You dont see that to often on a stock d-series. And as for cost the older ones with cable trannys like you will need are pretty cheap. Or you could go with a 1st gen b16, it cost $1,200 for complete swap on hmotoresonline.com. Plus the cost of motor mounts.

 

Its not the cost so much that bothers me cause this yard by my house sells motors for four cylinder motors for 150 whether its import or domestic, I got a b16 from a del sol for 150 too cause the guy that works there told me the day before it came in. I love that yard cause they dont know or dont care for ----. I could easliy get the engine with tranny for about 350 with core deposit an then just get axles an I can make the linkage, but I already have an a6 block an I can get the head from that yard for 50 (thats the price whether its vtec or not)

 

Cool hookup I guess the mini me would be cool for you then. I just like b16s for some resone. I like to rev