After a few suggestions from Charlie, more reading on the capabilities of MegaSquirt II, V3 and some Diamante 3.0L engine research, I've decided to incorporate a detonation sensor and longer duration camshafts in a new engine. The 10:1 CR SOHC 12v Diamante engines have a detonation sensor plate that I *think* can be used to mount a GM knock sensor that will be compatible with MS2. The SOHC Diamante cams are 262* duration as opposed to the 258* duration cams used in the 8.9:1 CR truck and car engines, so I'll use those for a broader power band.

The idea of piston oil squirters was suggested and considered - decided against them, since AFAIK for 3.0L engines, they're only available in the DOHC 24v turbo variant. There is anecdotal evidence in another thread that the SOHC 12v and DOHC 24v blocks are different, so since I also want a high-mount alternator, I'll have to be content with the SOHC 12v heads, Diamante cams and no oil squirters. Another contributing factor in the decision was that while the DOHC 24v turbo blocks had oil squirters designed-in, the oil pump is different and may provide more flow than the OE SOHC 12v pump - which raises the possibility of potential loss of lubricating oil pressure in a SOHC 12v block as a result of installing oil squirters (if I could even figure out how to install them). Here's an article that pretty much convinced me that I don't want to experiment with oil squirters until someone else proves the idea in this block:

S14 oil squirters

Here's the Diamante engine - pulled from a '95 station wagon:



The detonation sensor and mounting plate can be seen bolted across the block valley - the 10:1 CR pistons will be changed to 8.9:1 OE cast or a lower CR forged set - not certain yet.... toying with the idea of a stroker crank, but probably won't go that route.

Frank