well after taking the gearbox on and off at least 3 times in the same day, bit of machining and finally i get to fit a single mass clutch without it jamming, re fitted the engine and box,
cut the slam panel, redone the mounting points for the intercooler and rad, i now have enough room for a 12″ fan 
mounted the gear shift and low and behold with a small amount of modifying the centre console from a syncro fits on the rear gear shift mountings and under a mk2 dash, sticks out about 1/2 an inch
i can live with that