Just another thought for discussion sake -- OP is in Europe ... wanting something different than the usual .... LS versus SBC?? Avoid the scuffle altogether ... What about a diesel? Diesel conversions are cool, provide plenty of power (maybe not so great in the "zip" depart ...) and over there, the Europeans have been much more progressive with putting diesels in smaller trucks than we have to finding things like steering components and small trannies to go with them shouldn't be as big of an issue as here....
Personally, I think diesel conversions are cool. And I have no clue what an LS motor is.
Just FWIW ...
Happy wrenching.
John
