Everyone is assumeing that the 3.5 willmake huge power. Do we even know if the ports on the 2.5L head will support another 1000cc above stock?? The ports on the 3.0L head are quite a bit different from the 2.5L head. I'm pretty sure they also have more port area. I believe the intake manifold has larger ports also. The extra displacement will make big differences in power in the lower RPM ranges, but if the 2.5L can't support the airflow, then there won't be the huge gains up top where the peak power is. Not that that is a bad thing, just something to keep in mind. I now the 3.1L kits for the VR6 were BIG money when they were out. I think they ran in the low $3K range for a forged crank and pistons. I would expect to pay around $4K for the motor. Alot of money. As far as tranny questions go, the MTX75 is a pretty stout gearbox with a Quaife diff in it. It is a good sized tranny for a front wheel drive car. I wouldn't worry about it. Quaife has shown a little interest in doing synchromesh gear kits for the MTX75. There just hasn't been any demand so It is hard for me to push for a production run. Closer ratio gears would make a big difference in acceleration.

Roger

98 SVT E0, Black 3.0L, y- pipe, open air filter, ported lower intake manifold, Quaife diff. 220hp at the wheels through the stock exhaust and manifolds. Blown motor, help on the way...... 97 GTI VR6, Green lots of mods, 205 hp at the wheels