ZD30 replacement

So mine went POP a while ago and she's been waiting patiently in the driveway for some much needed love...

Trouble is it blew up on the week before I got married and so as you can expect all my money is gone... I'm getting the money issue sorted, I'll be getting the job done towards the end of June.

Just want to ask for some advise on things I should do while its all happening. I considered a 4.2 conversion but not enough funds. So it'll be a reconditioned ZD30 and I'm doing all the work myself.
I'll definitely be doing things like all the filters, I'll be getting a new MAF sensor, I've already got NADS, new heavy duty IC, and new turbo was put in few months ago.
I was told to get a new clutch but it had a heavy duty clutch put in late 2011 so I don't think I should need to do that.

The gearbox was cleaned up at the same time, but it's been slipping out of first occasionally. I read on here it might just be a small something that wasn't put back in... Other than that the gearbox feels nice and strong.

I'm considering water/methanol injection, not sure whether to do it straight up or wait until after run in...

I'm also considering a new exhaust. This one has been fixed up a couple of times and filled with oil(the smoke was fun!) so I think that is due.

Any hints or tips guys?

You say you had NADS installed when the motor went pop, so what went wrong?
Over temp, over boost, no oil? Whatever the cause was I'd be looking into it deeply or you'll be changing a 2nd motor..

Then maybe a 3" exhaust.

I think I just got to it too late with nads. The car started having problems, then the turbo died so I replaced that and done nads then but I think it was just too late, damage was done. Plus I've got a feeling the oil wasn't the best that got put into it. I replaced the fuel filter not long before it blew and it was full of crap.
A fresh start with nads from the get go will be good.

Any recommendations for a 3" exhaust?

You should pull it down to see if it ran dry from no oil pressure, pulling it down and finding the cause of its failure will also help you decide weather to get a low km 2nd hand long motor ( preferably from a later model) or to rebuild this one.

I haven't tried to find the cause yet, only because of where the car is. It's being moved to my Dads shed tomorrow where it'll have the work done to it. I'll find the cause once there. I did empty the sump and 2 or 3 litres of coolant came out before the oil...
I'm going to get a motor on exchange basis. I've looked into other options and I think it's the best solution.

I'm just wondering if there's anything specific I should check or replace while the motor is out??

Rods shop or Beaudesert do good bolt on exhausts at a fair price.
Rear main seal is a no brainer , Not much you can do to a 3ltr IMO
I would be looking for efficiency not increased power, its only 3ltrs.

Who are you looking a exchange engine throught?

I couldn't see why you couldn't do a 42 conversion for similar money to that of a replacement zd30. The gearbox and clutches are the same so it's only engine mounts and wiring that are the big jobs.

Guys on e bay do it for $4400. Comes with a 12 month unlimited km warranty...

I've read a lot of people doing the 4.2 conversion having a lot more trouble and things to change than just mounts and wiring. Plus I've already spent a lot of money on NADS, new IC, new turbo for the ZD30 so in the big picture it's a lot cheaper and no wasted money on parts that were only used for a couple of months...