Actually a recent escape engine will make things much easier as you wouldn't have to swap the front timing cover and oilpan...
You have to figure out which intake manifolds you are planning on using...
You can use your stock intakes on the contour which will need port matching or use a taurus upper intake manifold along with the rest of the escape intake components... Using the taurus intake manifold will mean a little welding to get the throttle body bracket to work, and some sort of custom tubing to hook up the EGR... (I would just delete the EGR and get it tuned accordingly)
An LSD is a good idea, either torsen or quaife along with an upgraded clutch and why not even headers when your all in there!
You will also need some sort of tuning to get all this runnning properly...
In my opinion find a 04 Ford Escape 3.0 DOHC engine... Swap the rod and main bearings with Clevite bearings... Trim the necessary ears on the block... Get your taurus upper intake manifold, mod the throttle body bracket & either ditch or mod the EGR and get it tuned... Add LSD, clutch, headers and you'll be all set
