Uh, Roz, you'll note that I was asking why the guy would want to do this.
As for your friend's focus, you could probably do the same thing in a T56 and the tranny eould go. He's lucky the engine didn't blow.
I don't have any access to an article stating that the Duratec in stock form has been bolted to the Getrag 6-speed. But it would work in regards of torque. the Duratec is not super torquey. The regular 2.5 has less torque than the John Cooper Works model. To quotre a C&D test:
"The JCW version generates 200 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque"
Another quote from the same article:
"Similarly, the development team feels the stock clutch and six-speed manual gearbox can deal with the extra thrust."
The car weighs 2800 pounds (not all THAT Mini, is it?). If the differential is...ummmm.....different, THAT could be a weak spot. I know that SVT Foci have been grenading clutches, but I imagine Ford is using different clutch components.
As far as it being a good choice, like I said if you have the money, and want to try it, fine, but I just can't see why anyone would want to do it.