The Subaru engine is the better choice, but not necessarily the right one
for everybody. If you are going to "roll your own", the Subaru and the
homegrown I-4 VW's are the cheapest conversion, with the Subaru being about
equal in cost to the I-4 with much better power and smoothness. If you pay
someone to do it, and money is an object, which it is for most of us, then
the TIICO starts to get very attractive from a standpoint of cost.
    There are many very happy Tiico owners out there, but also some that
have taken a Tiico out and put a Subaru in. I have not heard of anyone
taking a Subaru out and putting a TIICO in.
      I really wouldn't spend the money on a N.A. I-4 VW.  The 1.8T would
probably be great, as would a VR6.  But the Subaru is so smooth, has so much
more power than the I-4's, and it fits perfect.

John
87 Westy SVX
91 GL 2.5 Subie conversion in progress