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First, strictly (and logically) speaking, I would think it hard to distinguish between the reliabilities of VW and Porsche engines. Peas in a pod from the same fertile garden when it comes right down to it. If picking nits, one could say that a VW mag case would tip the scales a bit in Porsche's favor.
Of course, keeping to a "cost effective" basis, it's no contest, to be sure.
Gearboxes:
Isn't it the case that the pronounced "hump" in the nose end requires cutting the tub for clearance (presuming one wishes to maintain a level axis of the power/drive train).
Lastly, does no one build a VW transaxle that incorporates a viscous limited-slip diff? To my way of thinking (whatever that's worth), the lack of a proper LSD (and no, the jelly-bean jar does not count) has always been the single greatest weakness/oversight of the VW/Porsche genre.
Even penny-pinching GM understood the value of driving both wheels on an axle with the Corvair. Of course, these days of cheapo front-drivers and brake-based "traction control", no one knows what a limited-slip is for.
I will now clasp my hands to forestall the impending rant on the current tragic state of cars a normal person can actually buy these days...
$.02 from the cheap seats...
Of course, keeping to a "cost effective" basis, it's no contest, to be sure.
Gearboxes:
Isn't it the case that the pronounced "hump" in the nose end requires cutting the tub for clearance (presuming one wishes to maintain a level axis of the power/drive train).
Lastly, does no one build a VW transaxle that incorporates a viscous limited-slip diff? To my way of thinking (whatever that's worth), the lack of a proper LSD (and no, the jelly-bean jar does not count) has always been the single greatest weakness/oversight of the VW/Porsche genre.
Even penny-pinching GM understood the value of driving both wheels on an axle with the Corvair. Of course, these days of cheapo front-drivers and brake-based "traction control", no one knows what a limited-slip is for.
I will now clasp my hands to forestall the impending rant on the current tragic state of cars a normal person can actually buy these days...
$.02 from the cheap seats...
A certain 356 restorer gets 40K+ to bring a 356/912 engine up to just over 2 liters. Yet after all that investment it still won't break 200HP. I believe your last try cleared that mark and at a fraction of the cost. 
The choice is clear, at least to me. I look forward to hearing it run and I'm still impressed by acceleration and the exhaust note this thing was making in that old video. 
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