the reason I went to an L series were:
a) to get more power for the same engine mods
b) readily available, cheap, strong 5spd boxes

for the cost of an Aseries 5spd you can get a complete L series driveline (engine, 5spd box, and 120Y/Corrola diff). No real choice if you can do the conversion work yourself.

I know you can get A series engines to go very well, but dollar for dollar the L series wins hands down. and as a street engine the A series is totally outgunned by the L. It has way more torque which makes it a much nicer thing to drive and much faster at normal road speeds. you can even overtake without knocking it down a gear or two.

If it was a 120Y or Sunny, there really is no choice with the L series being a bolt-in fit.

Shame we never got the B110 Sunny Excellent here, with the L14...