you can find an ex tranny cheap, like 300 or less, and i was under the impression that the axles were cv joints....but those can be had brand new for around 160

much cheaper than a swap...however still slower..... it would be much more expensive to swap it ls's are great but you already have a d16 so just keep it and fix the axles and just get a different tranny its cheaper than a rebuild...then boost it or something if you want power