Are my eyes failing me, or is piston #2 pretty damaged? Are those still the old pistons in the block or are they used?

 

Silly question maybe, forgive me if you've already answered. What's your oil level at?

Here's my suggested dip-stick measurement method. Source = a shop with the most track hours on Kmiatas(more than KPI)
"I have my dipstick trimmed to 21.25“ total length, which is as long as it can possibly be with the Z3 pickup tube arrangement.

My HIGH level mark is at 20.0”

My LOW level mark is at 20.5“ "

 

I bought new pistons and rods for this build. That might be oil in the picture causing it to look funny.

 

If you're talking about the k-power oil pan. I cut the stick so it reaches the top of the saddle in the pan. 6 quarts of oil puts it about 1/4" on the stick. 7 quarts a bit higher. I don't see any oil starvation in the engines. There would be obvious signs on the bearings. Even the first engine that I named smoke show after death had perfect bearings.

 

Ferrea valves
supertech beehive springs

 

Which ferrea valves? I had the 6000 series and within a few thousand miles they had started to deform and needed frequent adjuatments. It got so bad at first that the engine wouldn't run since valve lash increased to the point they were stuck open.

Quite a few others on the Facebook group have had the same issues with these valves. It's a metallurgy issue as it's only the intake valves that deform.

If you still have the head off I'd swap them out to oem.

 

I got 5000 series