Well, the break in went fine... I have 3700 miles on the rebuilt Axis (RAW Performance) engine. It is running fine but I have not been able to get the power I was hoping for with the stock turbo. I am struggling with the timing... it simply won't take nearly as much with the big cams and valves (or false knock?). I suspect the knock sensor is hearing valvetrain & forged piston noise and pulling timing but I still need to confirm this point.
Last year, I was able to get 28 degrees timing advance with 16 PSI at redline. With the new engine I can only get 18 degrees advance at 16PSI. I plan to install a knock recorder to determine if the ECU is really hearing knock or if it is simply pulling timing due to forged piston and valve-train noise.
On 5/24/2008, I installed an APS DR 725 intercooler. What a PITA... but it is all set now. I can get a bit more timing using the new intercooler but I still suspect false knock is an issue.
I have an FP Red on order... it should be here mid June...