OK, so its looking like the ring land(s) are on the way out in my baby.

Potential/probable damage to the bore.

Option 1) New pistons, rings, what can be done with the bore? What are the chances of this happening again in another cylinder. This is probably the cheapest solution, however I dont want to be opening up the engine again sometime soon. est 2000-3500$ installed.

Option 2) Source a Sti V7/V8 AVCS engine. More expensive but probably better in the longer term. What are the differences in price for these between one with say under 20,000km and one with around 50,000km? est 4000-6000$ installed.

Option 3, my favourite) Start with an EJ22 block and go from there. (Can, or would you want AVCS with this??) Have had a quick look at the Axis motors website and their EJ22 with CP pistons and the valve train for 8500-9000rpm looks nice and isnt toooo expensive. est 6000-9000$ installed.

so this area is very new to me....as for the usual questions, In the long run I would like to run 1.5bar day in day out. for now.

__________________
K.E.R.S!!!1