Agreed, there is no cheap option. The 6 speed boxes are a good option and well priced 2nd hand too, I just don't think I can spare the time it would take to re-engineer my setup for them. I would like to persevere with the S54 until I feel my options have been exhausted.
Truth is, I'm enjoying the research and the thought that I'm putting into it. The more research I do, the more people I speak to the more I'm learning and the better informed will be my decisions. I didn't ONLY buy this car to drive and track but to play with. I'm pleased with the direction Thomas has taken with this modification (one of the things that appealed to me about this car) and intend to continue. His reasons for keeping the S54 box are very good, especially for track work. All other boxes I have looked at have noticeably higher internal drag coefficients based on internal mass, rolling mass and torsion forces.
I really don't think I will know EXACTLY what gearing will be needed until I get the Vtec tuning sorted out, I recently bought a VAFC-2 on ebay but looks like it may be a scammer! :( After ebay refund my purchase I will buy a VAFC-Neo and put the car on a dyno.