Update on this ridiculously slow build. The engine builder sourced some upsized rings as mentiond. He trialled them into the bore and you could see they overlapped and would need to be ground down. He said he could do this and had done it before but not on a highly tuned engine so couldn't guarantee anything. I just said we'll have to hold until I can find out more. :x
Unless someone tells me otherwise, it seems you can get away with this strategy but at best you lose HP as the rings are pushing out more and at worst you lose compression or they break.
So back to the drawing board. I've looked into Tomei 87.5mm pistons with the existing block but even without a new block it will cost significantly more than just starting again.
So current options are get another block and new pistons/rings, get a cheap 2nd hand engine or just flick a match in the tank and walk away Hollywood style :twisted: