i agree it is definately the way to go. for $2500 you can easily afford the tranny and engine as well as all other parts (if you buy from osaka).
www.c-speedracing.com/howto/b18cswap/swap.php is a how to on swap and it seems pretty damn easy to me and very straight forward. I say if you have the time and just think about what youre doing, it is very possible