I guess I'll just jump in with a few of my initial questions...

1. I have a mild budget to swap an LS-series combo into my '95 S14. I am thinking of an iron block LQ4 or LQ9 as a starting point. Is there any benefit to one over the other? I plan to find a high mileage engine that will reduce the initial cost, rebuild it, add L92 heads, a cam, and shoot for ~450whp. No reason for 450 other than it sounds good.

2. I have found 3 complete kits with different parts from different companies.
- Sikky Manufacturing (~$1750)
- Fueled Racing Performance (~$2,350)
- Hinson Super Cars (~$4,300)

All companies offer different variations with exhaust, fuel systems, engine/trans mounts, etc. Are any of these worth the retail price, or should I mix and match pieces for the best overall cost? Should I buy certain things and try to fabricate my own other parts (i.e. headers, exhaust)?

3. I plan on the T56 transmission and everyone says the GTO is the one to buy because of the better synchros and gear ratios. I currently have an R32 GT-R rear differential in my S14 with 4.08 gearing. Should I just try to find a T56 of any type if the cost is right and not worry too much on the GTO? I think 1st gear in either is going to be burnout central either way.

1.) That is exactly what I had in mind. I actually had a pair of LQ4 motors in my garage a year ago.. but knew that I wouldn't be able to do anything with them for a while, so I sold them.. Anyhow, to your question.. L92 has higher compression pistons. LQ4 would be cheaper to acquire and the lower compression would be better if you ever wanted to get silly and slap a snail or two on there.
2.) I think you should fabricate everything.. in duplicate and send me the copies.
3.) I wouldn't worry about which T56 unless you plan to make well over 500hp. But.. I'm no expert on that.. Hit up Kevin (OutToWin..)... He'll know much more about all this stuff.

Ill just add there are other mount options out there for less.

Headers are hard to come by for cheap but Im actually looking into a short header style manifold. Yes it may loose alittle power but youll save 400-500 bucks.

The swap is not terribly hard to do. I did mine on my car with help from some friends in my 2 car garage. Took about a month to get all cleaned up and straight like I wanted it

No reason to buy a bad motor. Get a good one up-front, you won't save much building it.

LS's are going for less and less, and they're pretty bulletproof. Wish I'd done an LS in my vert.

You still can go LS

Really depends though AZ. I hooked a buddy up with a block, heads, wiring, and ECU and he got his motor all together for about 1000 (honing/cleaning, Pistons, New Rings, Rods and Crank w/ all bearings) and got a tranny for 1100 (ended up being a built trans) I cant find the motor sets for much less than 2500 unless you come across a deal.

The 6.0 seems to be the best bang for your buck though. Engine can be found from 400-600 in junk yards /ECU and harness. L76 intake, L92 heads and cam setups are making over 400 close to 500 whp with 1100 in heads, 300 for injectors and 300 in cam. So theoretically 2300 for motor give or take a few hundred and 1000 give or take a few hundred for trans you could have a pretty nice setup.

Nice.

Very tempting. Wait... Ugh, I'm 4-5 projects deep, I don't need another one, dammit.

I hope to be that deep in projects (not my own) this summer. Got a possible S2000 swap, RX7 with LS1 wants extra goodies, and big maybe SC400.

We could add one to the list if you wanna ship your car to Bowling Green KY lol

1.Sounds Good
2. There is also Mckinney Motorsports makes LS series mounts for $450. However, that is not a complete kit. If you can make/fab some of the stuff yourself then that might be a cheaper alternative.
3. The T-56 with that rear diff should be fine. I have a buddy with an 02' camaro with a 4.10 gear in the back and a whole bunch of goodies and it gets enough traction. Having less traction makes things more interesting right? lol

Relevant, but which mounts would be better: The Fueled kit or the Sikky kit?

You should call StreetElite to see how much their mounts cost. Chris Nichols is a former moderator and a big supporter of NICO and he designed and is selling those mounts. http://www.streetelite.net/index.html