1981 VW Rabbit L Build Up

I just got an old VW Rabbit that I have big plans for. Currently It has a diesel engine in it, I want to know what my options are as for engine swaps. What are my options with performance upgrades? I was also looking into changing the engine from a Diesel to a gasoline engine. What would my options be for that.

Are GTI engines easily swaped or does it need to be heavily modified?

I plan on making this car into a street tuner and want to get the most power for my $.

Any Ideas/Information is helpfull.

Why oh why would you want to convert away from diesel? I'm expecting to get around 50 MPG on my (new) 82 rabbit, running on about a B50 biodiesel mix. Your engine runs longer and cleaner (not to mention cheaper!), and these little things are so small it doesn't seem to compromise the speed. I regularly pass Audis and Volvos going up hills, and highways are a breeze. Of course if you want to track-race that's a different story.