Best K20/24 donor?

I'm considering using one of these engines for a transverse middie application. They come in so many varieties. What would be the hot ticket for a donor? Would like to be able to use the halfshafts and probably the spindles and brakes so I'm thinking parting an entire car.

Along a similar line, what do you guys think would be the better motor for a 1500 lb car?  I always like torque, but a high-revving mill might be more in keeping with the  spirit of the vehicle.

And here's a weird one -  please don't throw any objects at me, but the cockpit will be super cramped. Forgoing the traditional shifter and going with paddles would ease the packaging demands, but that would mean going with an autotragic. Would that kill the vibe?

An Acura TSX and later ILX are probably your best bet, and lots of availability with an automatic.  I have an 07 TSX K24A2 RBB-3 engine in my EG hatch and it is fantastic.  

The"best" K20 donor is a Japanese market Civic, Integra (RSX) or Accord Type R, highest compression, biggest cams, most ideal transmission if that's coming with. 

Close second is a European model Civic Type R or RSX Type S known as a K20A2 

Third due only to complexity in electronics is the 8th gen Civic SI K20Z3 

For 2.4s the 06-08 TSX engine is the one to look for slightly stronger with slightly larger camshafts than the earlier K24A2 

Quaife makes a sequential conversion for the manual Honda gearbox that I believe can be paddle controlled (at the least there is no good reason it couldn't) avoid Honda automatic transmissions for anything resembling "fun" uses 

If you want a high revving mill a K20Ax or K20Z3 as mentioned above are your tickets to fun. There are plenty of wiring harness conversions out there too from the likes of rywire. As far as an ECU would go, you might need to source an RSX ECU and have Hondata KPro installed on it to tune it to your needs. You could also do the Haltech Elite 1500 but that gets pricey. 

Less revs/more torque. The K24Z3 might be a good option out of a 08-12 Accord. Plentiful, cheap, and fun. You could do some cam timing adjustment to make some more power and they have an integrated manifold in the head that helps with exhaust packaging if you're space limited. 

As far as transmissions go. The later ILXs came with a DCT bolted to a K24Z7. I really don't know how well it holds up to spirited driving and if it's any good. If you found a whole ILX assembly with control units, that could be your one stop shop right there. 

Our previous endurance civic (eg hatch)was K24 with the good head and a set of upgraded cams and rebuild bottom end but stayed with stock compression due to being an endurance car.

 Usual bolt ons and hondata tuned and it was plenty fun and revy....untill it tossed a stock rod thru the bock the last race of the yr.

 We moved to a 9th gen civic to make obtaining parts easier etc,we stayed with the stock engine and crap head with single outlet etc.

 Bolt ons with a tune and its tq'y enough down low but not very exciting and its all done making power by 7k.

I'd avoid that engine regardless of the trans used.

 I should mention the EG hatch and the EF crx before it ran a K20.....250k on it before it went into an ice racer,then into the crx for a season of endurance racing then into the EG for another season.

 It was down on compression and starting to need a little oil thru a race but otherwise just as rev happy and capable of running at the pointy end of the field.

 Fantastic motors.

You can get a whole front clip with engine, transmission, wiring harness, and everything from Japan easily if you want a JDM K20. Very commonly available. 

There is https://www.jdmenginedepotinc.com/ and they have a warranty on what you buy from them. I bought a R32 Skyline setup from them before and it worked out well. 

so, should I go buy these? (I think they are 2009+ TSX k24)

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/6950995024930365/

This may be helpful.

https://axleaddict.com/auto-industry/cars-with-k24-engine