Working on the modular is super easy and I will be there to help OP with the work so that is no problem. What about the longevity of the 302? How many of those make it to 300k + miles without being rebuilt? The modulars do that all the time when maintained. Valve train weight is something to think about in the 302 compared to the 281. The cam profile has much better control of the valves in the modular because of how big the lobes are.
i don't know about that. you have the ever common timing guides breaking down all the time and the plastic intake cracking. the 302s don't really have any hardcore mechanical failures like that. rear main seal is about the only thing that takes serious time to tear down. other common problems with the 302 are harmonic balancer rubber pushing out and the PIP sensor going bad. both of which are pretty cheap fixes. not saying the 2v isn't a great platform but you see more significant failures and lower power numbers on them then you do a 302. and as far as the PI swap, okay, yes that's a "cheap" upgrade but if you do the same "cheap" swap to a 302 with cast iron GT40 heads, you'll still have more power.
the strongest reason for a 2v in my book is just the age of the vehicle. all the 94-95s are now over 20 years old where as you can still get a 2v thats got low mileage on it and still well maintained. saying the same for a 94-95 is a lot harder. the upside is that the engine parts for 302s are significantly cheaper. a trickflow top end kit is $2k vs. $3.5k for a 2v. easy of tuning a 2v is handsdown a winner there. tuning obd1 sucks.
Ultimately if it was me, i'd decide first if i wanted a sn95 or a new edge. if sn95, then a 94-95 is the winner. if new edge body floats your boat more, then 2v it is.