Very Nice. Im somewhat insanely jealous of how good thats looking. Keep the pics coming.

For what its worth, its easier to attatch the AC compressor AFTER install than to install it before.

Looking good Rob

Looking good. At least you're aware that it won't look so clean forever....lol

Not yet. My mechanic was working really fast on it for about a month straight (and that was about a month ago), but for the last 2-4 weeks he has only done a bit of work on it (partly because of delays with parts), and he has been working on other cars more so than mine. I think the engine should be going back in very soon though!

The external wastegate piping was finished off today:



And I got this pic for the sake of it before this goes onto the engine permanently:




My mechanic said he hopes to have the engine finished tomorrow, and he may even have it back in the car in the next 2 days!
I hope so, because I'm going to Japan for 2 weeks on Thursday, and my mechanic is going to Singapore for a few weeks starting next week I think.

Apart from the gearbox going back on with the new clutch, the engine is more or less finished, as you can see below.
I haven't decided yet if I'll get an LSD, but if I do I'll probably just get a Quaife unit and get it fitted later once I get to drive the car and see if it's really necessary.
I'm still not sure when the engine will be going back in to the car. Today my mechanic and I remembered the remaining PITA job of removing the fuel tank to change the fuel pump, which should probably be done before the engine goes back in. I'm also not sure how much progress will happen while I'm away in Japan, I won't really know for about 3 weeks by the time my mechanic returns from his own holiday. Anyhow here are some more pics...













I really like how my mechanic did the custom turbo coolant pipes and mounting bracket (see last pic in particular) and the heat wrapping on them

whats the flex joint in the wastegate pipe for?