svxboy,

That helps a lot... The strut issue is food for thought. I have already upgraded my suspension with stiffer 2" Scorpion lift springs, which should help accomodate the extra weight (+-50lbs more than a 2.5). What you are saying about the engine/intake and ECU being out of the same year car confirm what I had suspected (and am trying to acquire). It makes the best sense for the ease of the swap. '96 is the year set up that would be ideal for this sitution.

You are right on about the turbo tranny, it is opposite of all of the other manual trannies and supposedly stronger as well. Seems like the best option. A 3:90 LSD from an XT6 could be used also (maybe). Not sure how that would hold up with all of that power though... Any part that is XT6 only worries me a bit.

Thanks again.
We're on a hot track.

Maybe soon my car can come off of the trailer.