TBH I think im gonna take the engine and see how things go...in the meantime if anyone has any more info/pointers etc then feel free to add them below

Ultimately, the car will change to a Blacktop 2.0 Zetec, but until I have built that engine, this will just fill the hole and provide a bit of extra umph to the current 1.3

What sump is required for the 1.8? or is it a matter of persuasion with a hammer to get it to clear?

I have heard of the idler pulley to change direction, I remember reading it on Karlos' thread.

Do you have any pics of the bit you have to cut out when you say 'Blacktop needs a notch cutting out of where the engine mount bolts to on the chassis leg to clear the timing belt tensioner'?

I also vaguely remember about dropping the alt, I think it was in Karlos' thread to...I will have another read through his thread...

If it all plans out, I may weld in all the new mounts for doing my 2.0 conversion and see if I can put in the MTX75 FRS box at the same time just to save time later when the proper engine goes in