Some more pics - slow going at the moment as im taking my time labelling everything and learning the layout of all the components as i go.
First took off the throttle body as its supposed to let you get at the little cover to get at the torque converter bolts - it may do but it wasnt obvious where it was once i got it off.
decided it was best to take the manifold and alternator etc off too to allow better access and give me a better understanding of the layout.
was dissapointed to see the alternator seemed to be bolted to the powersteering and air con pumps and idler / tensioner connected to them, as i wanted to get rid of them as i have no need for either
however once i got them off

i could see that you could seperate the brackets that held the tensioner and idler from the pumps

so when i build it back up i can just have the brackets and the alternator , assuming i can get a shorter belt
can see the height of the manifold now they are off
the 3 pipes at the bottom of the manifold (circled red) are the fuel flow and return between injector rails and the evap purge canister line. The fuel flow and return from the tank come in at the top right of the manifold (from facing car - circled green) and work theyre way round to the other side and back to the same side. On a t25 the return is on the opposite side so i could loose one line and also loose the evap line as i have no charcoal canister. Not sure if its worth changing it though.
Removing the manifold was a bit more tricky , quite alot to disconnect first ,
2 pcv hoses? 1 to airbox before throttle body and one to plenem chamber after throttle body , not sure why 2?? (see pic orange)
fuel flow and return and fuel evap line (red)
2 idle air hoses , 1 for each head (green)
fuel rail connections on each head (although would have been easier to just unbolt the fuel rails and take them off with the manifold) (blue)
fuel rail protectors
various earth connections
loom connector for manifold
EGR pipe
probably some others i've forgotten
You can remove the engine without doing this and just lift it all out (after disconnecting torque converter and bellhousing cables hoses etc.) but it helped me learn where everything was and as i plan to clean it all up on the bench before reassembly it was worth it for me. Also now manifold is off i have excellent clearance for the torque converter bolts and less height to deal with if i drop engine below car . Probably not worth removing the throttle body if your removing the manifold though, just take them both off together.
next i need to decide above or below , hopefully get to it at the weekend ...