You're probably right, but I won't jump for joy until it's back on the road. I'm "hoping" to run it in over my Xmas break. Wish me luck
 
Having serious withdrawals from not having a fun car @ my disposal...lol

I think you need to update the name of this thread

robk

I think you need to update the name of this thread

 
Yeah, MR2QIK - New Heart. (Sounds nicer than MR2QIK - New bottom end.)

Fixed

Whoa...totally forgot to update this thread.
 
Thanks to James for the block.
 
As it arrived:

 
After machining/preparation:

Apexi 1.1mm HG arrival:
 




 
Completion of the drilling/syncing on the water galleries:
 

Purchased all new bearings (King again), re-used most of the existing gear:
 
ARP head studs/rod bolts etc
Pauter rods
Gen3 water & oil pump(s)
3SGTE dipstick & union (required a bit of machine to fit into the 5S block)
 
Assembled motor just prior to Xmas (also made sure to block off the oil feed for the counter balanced shafts):
 




 
Dummy fitment for the oil cooler etc (eliminating OEM oil cooler).

Returning after Xmas/NY last week, Racesolutions raised the motor back in.
 

 
Only real surprise here was requiring new oil cooler lines/fittings. Replaced those & the turbo lines with new Speedflow fittings. Took a good amount of time there, but the result is perfect.
 
Recent update, after some electrical dramas & issues with my alarm resetting, the car finally cranked over & was tidied up. Will give it a good clean & polish again, but it all seems to be working well. Hope it stays that way. I'm honestly paranoid & tense, but am calming down. That's just me though. Still going to have the AC regas'd & my alarm reprogrammed next week, but those are easy & in the scheme of things, there's very few loose ends this time around. Either way, it's good to have the MR2 back home.
While I haven't driven very far, my immediate observations are an improvement in spool (BOV louder & audible earlier) & a change in engine response due to the comp ratio. Lower comp still feels extremely driveable though. Motor is also quieter due to the tighter clearances & engine knock/noise is a bit lower (read from handcontroller).
Took a nice drive on Saturday night for the crucial first part of the run-in. 80km down Yurramundi (Springwood Rd) to Blue Mountains (driven 110km over the weekend). Some very nice hills there where I could give the motor some great off-boost high gear load. Running well for now *fingers crossed*
 

i love your car and hate you

^ Cheers dude. There's always some love/hate involved with MR2's.
 
Update: Just ran across a little snag after completing my 5SGTE which I thought would be beneficial to mention in this thread. Removed my dipstick to check the oil & found it was snapped down the end. Dropped the sump & discovered it wasn't going through the hole in the baffle (enlarged it to fix the alignment problem), so curled & was snapped by the crank. All good, no damage done.

Take note anyone building a Gen3 based 5SGTE. I'm using the Gen3 sump, union/fitting, tube & dipstick.

I'm guessing it must have gone unnoticed since most are probably building Gen2 based 5SGTE's, or using aftermarket sumps on Gen3's.