Yeh keep the XA and stick an 8 into it....ya know ya wanna.....

Tho the EBs are bloody quick, those mods will see some decent times - ask qwikcorty I think he was getting 14.7 or something. Though he'd probably have a better cam than Crow stage 2

Definitely you'd want a manual.
__________________
Proud TQE Operator and President of SEFAG - the Society for the Elimination of Ford Automatic Gearboxes

Pacemaker headers + 2.5" exhaust
EF Fairmont interior
MP3 player
Lowered King springs
5 speed manual
EF motor
Newest mod: EF Ghia wiring loom and dash