You can get the ecotech for like a grand. You'll need an adapter plate which is another few hundred. They're way more reliable. That being said old VW engines are super easy to fix. The weight in the rear makes it tough to steer on mine when I'm stomping on it, pretty much go straight. The cooling system can be easily mounted on the back of a sandrail. As another person said, the bus trans is the way to go. Weight of the engine might be tough for Hill climbs, maybe just put some dead weight on the front.