Paging Javelin: P71 trans into non-P71 Vic?

I have a friend on another forum whose boyfriend owns a 2005 Crown Vic LX (non-P71). The transmission died recently. The shop is telling her that her car has a rare transmission that will be hard to find and expensive because her car was built in Canada and is built to pass CA emissions standards. I think he's feeding her a load of bull. I've suggested finding a P71 transmission, but she's concerned about how it will behave in a non-P71- specifically, if the ECU and transmission will talk to each other, if the shifts are violent, and if there are any gearing differences between civvie and P71 slushboxes.

All P71's (and all Panther chassis cars period) were built in Canada, so yeah, that's a bunch of hog wash. The ECU should talk fine, but I would recommend sticking with an 03-07 trans just in case. I don't see why not to use a P71 trans, it's the same unit just a little beefier. Mine shifted soft until I upgraded it with the shift kit and tuner.

Thanks, I'll let her know!