Thanks for all the replies. I was stressing too much about it.
Goals for the Challenge this year:
- Have fun.
- Keep it simple.
- Be safe.
- [and destroy this engine after I get a timed drag run.]
Here's a quick history of the engine for anyone who doesn't want to look back through the thread. I bought a cheap 2000 Boxster S that had this engine installed. Aside from being a 2.5L engine where a 3.2L engine should be, it was a complete mess; Oil leaking, missing vacuum hoses, bad AOS and water pump, no thermostat, and a poorly rigged set-up with the throttle body and intake. I think the coolant in it was dirty pond water. I flushed it out - oil and coolant, replaced AOS, water pump, thermostat, spark plugs and tubes, a couple coils, and more. The coolant tank in that car leaked and I replaced it with a new one. After all that, I found that it still had the problem of dumping coolant out the pressure relief valve whenever I drove it hard. I pulled the engine out of that car and left it in my driveway under a tarp for two years. I offered to give it away for free. It sat.
When i got the Challenge car with the bad engine, I figured I'd give this engine one more try. I flushed water thru the cooling system. I installed it as a hybrid with the harness, intake and fuel system from the 2.7L engine with modifications to fit on the 2.5L block. It had the problem dumping coolant still. I replaced the oil cooler. It seemed better at first, but when I took it out and drove it hard and hot, the problem was as bad as ever. That's where it is now.
I plan to bring it to the Challenge with the 2.5L engine now and not mess with the V8 swap until after. I have a 'Nitrous Express' wet kit for the car now that has jets up to 150 and a 10 Lb tank. My trailer has a winch.