Also this is the diagnosis subaru gave me (big end bearing) i just didnt really understand what they were on about and mixed it up in my head.

All good buddy, you only become a real Subaru owner once you've replace the block.

You can buy yourself a Brand New ej207 short block right now for 2k from Rising Sun Subaru in Queensland. This deal is available up until tomorrow. I think delivery is $125. Think quick on what you plan to do.

Not sure if mechanics would appretiate me supplying a block. Id imagine putting a mark up on parts like that is part of their buisness. Then again they seem pretty good and helpful at stechnic.

Anyway its done. New ej207 bottom end and some 2nd hand heads acid washed, blasted etc etc.

Just running it in now. About another 2 or 3 hundred km then can put fully synthetic oil and up the boost.

Doug reckons the pod filter its got on it (ati) can lead to a lean afr and that can cause detonation. So il get it dyno tuned after the run in. Also iv noticed i only really feel the boost at or above 4000 rpm. Most people from what iv read feel the pull at 2800 to 3000 rpm. So mabey the tune can fix that up for me.

Workshops get more annoyed when you supply sub-par or the incorrect parts. If you supplied a EJ207 OEM shortblock with all the recepits I doubt they would care, those sorts of parts can generally be a pain to source for a shop.

Good to see it is all together again and try to find a stock airbox for it, they are good for 350HP on 98.