Tim, my thoughts exactly.  Human beings are truly puzzling creatures at
times.  I liken flames to hockey fights...everyone stands up and cheers,
and then condemns hockey players for checking each other from behind and
breaking each other's necks.  I've noticed a few users' propensity for
uncorinthian behaviour on this list...I'm learning to ignore them.

Everyone has their preferences...period.  A well designed conversion using
I4 or Subaru...or anything else, will reward its owner with whatever
attributes they were looking for when they chose the conversion in the
first place.  My choice to drop in an 2.0 litre I4 has rewarded me with the
three things I was looking for:

Better mileage by 28%
Better power by 50%
Better reliability

Anytime someone strays from a stock setup, they assume the responsibility
for safety, reliability, and performance.

Someone looking for quarter mile times in the 15's would have put in a WRX,
someone willing to re-gear the automatic or swap in a 5 speed would have
put in a TDI, someone looking to spend less money would have put in a
rebuilt WBX ...blah blah blah

It's great that the various lists and websites exist so informed and
rational folks can make a decision to scrap, rebuild or convert as they see
fit.  Having said that, anyone who doesn't do an I4 is nuts....hee hee.