John, you know me and how much crap I have gone through with both of my 3S's. You need to make a decision as to what you want to do with this car now and in the future. Don't think that by throwing more money at it that you will "make" it reliable. I personally think you should keep it as cheap as possible (used NA shortblock, and rebuild). I don't think you will see any problems going that way, and you won't get in over you head money or time-wise.
Good luck with everything and it sucks you've got to go through all this trouble after planning it out as well as you did.
laters,
__________________
Gene Crumpler
1992 Stealth RT/TT
"A thousand fearful images and dire suggestions glance along the mind when it is moody and discontented with itself. Command them to stand and show themselves, and you presently assert the power of reason over imagination."
-Sir Walter Scott
"Jokes of the proper kind, properly told, can do more to enlighten questions of politics, philosophy, and literature than any number of dull arguments." Isaac Asimov