[wilf]

Marty - so far as I know the Sherpa box is quite usable, in fact I had one in my old car.

Main difference between it and a car 'box is a lower first gear, and a different spline count on the input shaft (thus you have to get the right clutch driven plate). Couldn't rightly say about internals or torque capacity.

I also think, but you would need to check this out, that this version of the 'box automatically came with the "shortened" remote, putting the gear lever pretty much where you want in in a CObra.

As I said, this was a few years ago, and the exact details may have escaped my failing memory, but I definitely did have just such a 'box in my old Sumo. And it worked just fine. After I had 2nd and 3rd synchro fixed, that is.