​RE: I'll get 100k trouble free miles
Well, let me tell you about the engine coming out.  I've been driving it
for 13 years now.  When I bought it it had 94k on it.  Receipts from the PO
said heads had been done at 88k.  And it now has 188k on it just double
what it had when I got it.  What has been done to that engine (original) in
the 13 years?  Water pump and AFM and starter and alternator. AND a lot of
TLC in oil changes (ran synthetic most of those miles) and kept in perfect
tune by a top mechanic the last six years.  If you treat a stock WBX right
and with respect (maybe Red Lined once by accident) they will give you the
miles.  So, why not push for 200k miles?  Well, compression down to 70 on
#1 and intermittent indications of low oil pressure.  I don't want to put a
rod through the case in the middle of Wide Spot Nowhere.  So bite the
bullet and new engine.  And get the whine in the differential taken care of
at the same time.  I'm also going with a custom rebuilt 2.3L from a
rebuilder (NW Connecting Rod) with a great reputation.
And I damn well better get 100k out of it with only regular service!  If I
even live to put a 100k on it :)