As others have said aside from size considerations it is very much horses for courses.
All engines cost quite a bit to rebuild even to standard spec for standard performance.
Engines that have not been fitted to production cars for several years are still available but are more likely to need a rebuild. If you go for a later type you are more likely to find a serviceable condition 2nd hand engine for reasonable money.
This cost increases if you are including performance improvements. Significant gains generally cost significant £s. Beyond a certain point you may have to look towards specialised rods, pistons and crank to handle the extra power.
Mating an engine to a rwd gearbox it wasn't designed to fit can almost always be done so long as it can handle the power- but will need an adaptor bell housing, the right flywheel and clutch and in some cases the gearbox input shaft will need machining down to fit the crank end/ spigot bearing. You dont need to be limited to a Ford type 9 box though if you can find a good and affordable rwd gearbox that will bolt straight up to that engine.
After market carbs, manifolds and ignition systems can really add to the cost of that engine choice. A fortune can be saved if it is 1 practical and 2 adequate to reuse these systems from the donor vehicle.
Sump. Due to the height of many engines it's often necessary to buy or make a modified sump and oil pickup pipe. A few engines will go in without the need to modify these though thus saving a bit of money.
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