Fasteddy.... never knew about the hone grit. I always thought it was one size fits all... and used the cheapest hf one. Oops. I agree with you on ring life. Its not like moly will only last a year. Its more like 100k vs 200k on chrome. I can't think of too many people who keep a car for 100k or a motor for that long before swapping.

Kevin. I used Randy's Hastings rings. I used ITM piston from rock auto. My pistons were fine to re use, I was just converting my 88 n/a block to run a turbo setup. I didn't need a rebuild, just a piston/ring swap to lower compression.

Airsailor... I would mess with head work like that. Starion guys do it when they plan to boost to high numbers like 20psi and shoot for 350hp. To a stock setup you won't gain anything significant but will sacrifice reliability.

Kevin... I agree that the balance shafts are nice, but even randy reports difficulty with them. He changed the bearing on his own 2.6 back in the early days and it seized. Very precise work to get that in right. My bearings were all hashed up so I opted for the elimination kit for idiot proof reasons. It vibrates more, but the ups bod trucks I service are literally 4 times worst.
Not arguing, but are you sure Randy's rings arnt moly? Like everyone in the starion world says so and I even recall randy saying so over the phone. Plus when I got his rings they were black while my old rings and the ones that came free with my pistons were shiny and chrome. (Can it be possible hastings makes them for him, cause I know companys like wiseco will make you anything if you pay the price or buy enough, and he surely buys enough)
I agree with you about the roller rockers, but I've gotten flamed over on SQC by a lot of people who swear by them???
I think I have that style piston because my motor only makes 120compression. Stock for a turbo is 140 and I think 180n/a. I'm not worried as some guys run high mileage beaters with worn motors making 95compression. Plus I didn't deck anything so if I did that would bring it up to 140. Downside is the more you deck the block or head, the more out of time the timing chain becomes and only solution is an adjustable cam gear for $200.