Where's the rings?!?! 
Figured I'd post the eye candy first for the ADDr's.
The motor assembly got off to a shaky start when it was discovered the piston rings walked off sometime during the 11 months they sat in a box at the machine shop. Oh well. Paul has come through with another set and talked me into going gapless. Those are all new Kolbenschmidt (KS) main and rod bearings and bushings.
Since my build has some similarities with Ken's Lucifer's Hammer build I've started getting some excellent insight into various aspects I hadn't fully considered:
Use of log exhaust manifold: a 666 Fabrication tubular manifold would be nice but I'll stick with the iron TCD log for now. Besides, I'd like to break the 500hp threshold prior to an expensive upgrade. It's not as if I haven't spent enough money on this sucker already.
GT-35R Turbo: This may be an ideal setup for a stock M30 but that's not what we're dealing with. May be looking at an upgrade later on. For now, it will have to do. Tuning and road/track time will bear out which direction to go for a more ideal component choice.
Dogleg - Sport Transmission: I have it on good authority that there is little chance of destroying this tranny unless I get in the habit of dropping the clutch in first at 4k RPM's. First gear in the sport transmission is intended as a 'pit' gear. Between the shift pattern and gearing I expect it to function admirably.
Fuel Supply: Lots of great advice has been flowing in lately regarding this aspect of the build. We've hatched some interesting plans which will likely involve: in-tank aftermarket pump, Aeroquip fittings, larger diameter feed & return hardlines, floating pick-up and several modifications to the OE fuel tank. The tank is being disassembled, cleaned and epoxied.
Water>Air Intercooler: In addition to a bigger & better coolant pump for the intercooler I'll be adding a larger reservoir and more efficient heat exchangers. May use the Hartge airdam's brake cooling inlets to force air flow across the heat exchangers.
Engine Management: Rethinking going with an MS-3 setup. Considering a Haltech Platinum Sport 2000 or Electromotive TEC-3R.
Clutch: CNS offers a clutch kit which appears ideal for my purposes:
"- CNS Racing only offers a full face carbon semi-metallic clutch disk which has proven longevity and OEM streetability. This in turn eliminates the chance of premature failure due to clutch disk glazing which occurs in OEM and competitor kits that have an Organic disk lining.
- Identical if not better OEM pedal feel.
- Completely plug and play just like the OEM kit.
- 700+ rear wheel torque capacity. Great streetability and Racing use.
- It is a complete kit including the streetable high clamp pressure plate, full face carbon semi-metallic disc and OEM release bearing."
