Jace86GL

If you plan on having this car as a daily driver, then a 5" lift is a little much. If you do plan on driving it every day, but want to be able to rock the trails on the weekend, then a 2, 3, or 4" lift is best for you. I'd say probably a 3" would be your best bet.

As for the motor; an EA81 isn't that bad of a motor, its prone to the same headgasket issues as the EA82, but is much easier to work on because it is the OHV, pushrod motor. A lot of guys here use them in their big wheelers. But if you want the extra power and reliability, then an EJ22 is the way to go. The swap is very easy also