Hey guys, interesting and useful thread here. I've had heaps of escorts and now finally have some money to build one with a tough motor. Just got myself a good condition'79  mk2 xl coupe with a 1600 manual in it, and have a blacktop sr20det with 6 speed lined up to look at buying. My first question would be: Is it worth putting in with this box, if not which box should I go for, and what is needed in the way of adapting it to fit the sr? I'm hoping for around 300-350 flywheel horsepower when finished. At this stage I just want to get the engine and whatever box I'm running mated to it, and then fabricate / adapt the engine mounts, crossmember, gearbox mounts and get it all sitting in there properly, work out where the radiator / cooler and plumbing will be and then send it off for paint. Can I make / modify engine mounts to fit without welding anything to the chassis rails? I've got a feeling that might make it hard to get engineered in WA. 
 
Any help much appreciated, cheers!

Thanks esky79, I'll see if I can PM 510pom yet, I'm a freshie here so it wouldn't let me before even tho I'd met criteria. I plan to be dropping the clutch, a lot ha ha, a guy has a 100,000km (legit) blacktop w 6 speed, clutch, tailshaft, including loom, turbo and ecu for 2500 which I think is pretty cheap. Could be the go

thats my sr20 xmember dunno who made it

yep...but modified to suit the sr20det

thanks power quest and co, as it turns out I was about to buy a black top sr and all the needed bits with it and start the project, when I found an escort with a turbo sr already in it........ have bought the car and will put pics up soon. Still going to be a fair bit of work...

Did you buy the mk1 off ebay? Bloody cheap as if you did well done.

I'm guessing he did it wasn't up on eBay long and it was very cheap I was tempted to pick it up myself