Thanks Shaz,
The interview went well, I can only hope I get it so I can afford to put some decent parts into it. 

BACK FROM THE DEAD! So I got some time to get the car to my brilliant mechanic with the help from my mate and his liberty.
 

 

 
My mechanic mate worked on the car all day, when we got the 2^nd timing cover off all the teeth fell on the floor and this was the view that greeted us.
 

 
The belt had sheered all of its teeth around the crank pulley so nothing else moved when you cranked the engine. All I can say is THANK THE LORD AND ALL THAT IT HOLY IN THIS WORLD THAT 3S-GTE’S ARE NON-INTERFEARENC! Otherwise it would have been goodbye engine. I don’t know why the water pump let go, it was supposed to be brand new!
 
Fortunately, we got a new one and the timing belt kit to go with it, the belt was back on the car in no time thanks to having a hoist and people that know what they are doing, the car hardly gave us any trouble.
Because this was the very first time I’ve ever taken the intercooler out of the car my mechanic gave it a blow over and removed what can only be described as years of Australian rally stages by the looks of it.
 
Today we turned the key and it’s all back to life! I am so happy! We managed to also install the tie rods for the front and the boots which I’ve been meaning to do for some time, hopefully once the car has had an alignment tomorrow it’ll feel like a new machine! I’ve certainly missed it
 

 

😆😀🚘

good to hear, what brand was the water pump and timing belt?

Water pump was Repco and Timing Belt kit was Dayco I think.

So are you saying the water pump was actually branded as Repco ?
You have been very fortunate not to have a disaster on your hands.
Also great to have a knowledgeable mechanic to do the job !

The box was Repco branded and I didn't get to see the actual pump if it had any writing on it. Yea very lucky. My mechanic owns 3 Adubs between him and his partner haha he's the only man for the job and without question I'm so lucky to have him. 

Alright so all has not been well since the last update, we tested the car around the roads around the workshop and all seemed fine, my mechanic then drove it home for me. However, pulling onto the freeway there was an explosion of coolant behind his head :(. The head cylinder head was badly warped and compressed air had made its way into the cooling system and got bad enough that it blew the top hose off the radiator cap and emptied itself on the side of the road. My legendary mechanic arranged to have it towed back to the workshop where he tore it all down to see what was what and we found that the cylinders 2 and 3 were full of coolant.
 

 
The head gasket was fine but there was a massive warp in the middle of the head. Mechanic has a mill so he put the head on it and took cuts before it was all flat and brand new again. It looks so damn pretty!
 

 
There was alot taken off but thank god its still a non-interference engine. I can now happily report that the car has been running reliably ever since. The suspension and steering rack upgrades we did while the car was on the hoist have made a massive difference, there are no more clunks and bumps the car drives like new! I haven't driven it in anger yet because it's still only been a week but I can already notice the increased compression has made the car more responsive and is a pleasure to drive.
 
Now I can get back to the more cosmetic mods. My mate has a 3D printer and those invested in the thread or know the car will know I'm holing my boost controller in the ash tray bit with foam from the pack it came in. I got my mate to 3D print me a mount and it look so great. I'll sand it with a dremel after we move to Sydney and wrap it in some CF wrap to match the rest of the trim.
 

 
 

Good to hear you have it all sorted and back on the road.
Than 3D printed cover should come up nice once its all sanded, defiantly better than the foam.

I like the 3d print astray holder thingo, good thinking.