The guy on tdi is Franz. He's from the Netherlands. He has everything and startlingly reasonable prices. I sound like a commercial for him. Check him out before you buy anything though. He usually takes a day to get back to you because of the time difference, but his parts are really competitive (price wise and condition/mileage wise) with anything here, even with shipping. He must be running a chop shop or something for late model tdi's.
He also has lots of TD stuff for us on this side of the board (I was looking for an old ko3 awhile ago and couldn't find one anywhere. He had it).
Anyway, I just ordered a complete swap from him (afn with chip; 140hp should be interesting
). He provided references, and all of them only had good things to say about him.
I'm in Seattle too. Maybe we could piggy back on shipping, if you use him, and save a buck or two (or euro or two)?
Your question about the transmissions being the same for 00-03; they're all the same-- plug and play-- except the gearing. With the gearing, All the tdi ones are the same, but the gasser ones are way different. Don't get a gasser one. It will plug in and "work" but you won't be happy.
You might condsider adding a 6th gear and/or a taller 5th gear if your doing the swap and have the whole thing out anyway. I think 6 gears are coolest, especially around Seattle, but tall 5th gears make sense too. Lots of links on that other site about these upgrades as well.
Good luck!