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One of the current dual use cars is an 04 1.8VVT with a TD04 and ME442. Engine suffered a major mishap and I have a short engine waiting to go in with 180 psi across all four cylinders. It'll be de-tuned to 210hp and 210lb/ft to make sure the drivetrain and the rods last.

About to order bits which include:

Walbro 255 to replace standard pump
EV14 640 injectors to replace dubious "RX8s"
Gates water pump
Gates racing timing belt kit
OEM bottom end oil seals
Oil and filter

Anything else I should put in before putting the replacement engine in the car?

Oil pump and/or crank damper.

But WHY did the other engine die. If you know the answer, I assume your parts list addressed that reason. If you don't know, I'd find out before proceeding with the build, although that parts list seems ok to me (with the oil pump/damper addition). But buttoning up a new engine in these circumstances should not require crossing fingers, hoping THIS time it will be ok ...

So it is a stock bottom end? I'd take the opportunity to at least do rods while you have the chance. That's around 150rwkw, pretty modest as far as these cars can go, but with a broken engine behind you, I'd be going the rods route. have you dropped the bearing caps to have a look at the shells and the journal? That at least would be the minimum.

Good to hear from you Dave, but i wish the circumstances were happier!

I wouldn’t bother with the walbro 255 for just 210hp…
The constant whining behind your head gets old pretty quick. (I had one in a previous track car and don’t miss the noise at all)

If you want to do a pump for safety sake then just drop in a DW200. Fits straight in, identical fit to std, makes no noise, plenty of headroom for your power output, even if you bump it up in the future..

Yep second the DW200. Drop in. Quiet pump - do rate it.