Bill and Jose,
Thanks for the input, your thoughts and advice are always much appreciated. The Zetec has the exhaust on the left side so I thought it would be a little easier than a Duratec (emphasis on "little") and the stock Escort exhaust manifold might clear all of the steering gear, although until a test fit we won't know if Bill's prediction will be true. Jose, I agree the stock exhaust manifold probably isn't the best performance wise, certainly not aesthetically. I'm probably in over my head as it is, so I trying for as many stock pieces as possible as first, without doing a total hack job of course. I certainly agree with Jose and want to try and fit the engine and transmission 1st in as optimal a position as possible, then deal with the ancillaries. Definitely needs a custom intake manifold, either a custom single throttle body type or as many UK guys, individual motorcycle TB's. Dual Webers are an option, but as the posted pics show that loses the brace which I really don't like.