problem solved, just bought a complete sierra gt 2.0 dohc slightly modified (58,000 with all mot's) so should be pretty good. not the direction i wanted to take on this build but i am not prepared to cut this shell up to fit 4 wheel drive, which according to most comments on this and other threads is a good thing. slightly less bhp than 2.9 but according to spec on 2.0 dohc and xr4x4 it is around 105kg lighter so should make up for some of the loss. working out the power / weight ratio the 2.9 is 8.89kg to each bhp and the dohc 8.12kg. so very little difference. i did a fair bit of ground work on this as did not want to make a major mistake. this was never intended to be a track car but will be a daily user so i am reasonably ok with this. another 400 mile trip to collect but that's the way it goes. at least with this donor as xr4x4, everything remains electric and abs can be installed. engine will be stripped and rebuilt/reconned with new parts as required prior to fitting. i will post pics of shell after blasting when i get them as i was not there. not much more happening except purchased more parts, brand new cibie headlights and genuine new indicaters, new rs cosworth stainless cill plates, new set of foglights even though i have purchased a complete front bumper with fogs and indicaters from gary (r.s.cassics). remote alarm with auto closing of windows and sunroof when electric roof is fitted. the new ford badges and boot decals have already arrived. suggestions on any tuning on dohc engine will be welcomed. plan is to pick donor car up on saturday and have it totally stripped on sunday ready for collection by scrappy following week. i have 5 in w/shop at the moment so running out of room. after the hassle with this shell i have serious doubts wether my genuine shell will now be 4x4. i always said this project would be practice for that build and now i realise both why i needed practice and why some rebuilds take years.