Hey, nice to see someone is just as crazy as i am, ive done almost the same kareem has to his, and i know exactly what your talking about with all the problems. I had the same problem with the oil leak and O-ring, and have burned 2 motors due to detonation, im just now finished with my most recent rebuild, and am starting her up in a few days. ill include a list of my mods for comparision/good idea, bad ideas and what not.

Engine:
CP 10.5-1 high compression pistons
Head Milled six thousanths for clean up purposes
Wiseco Rings
Balanced rotating assembly
Clevite Rod and Main Berrings
Block bored thirty thousanths over
Block Sleeved and honed
ARP Head Studs
Crane stage 2 cams
Crane Adjustable Cam gears
PT cruiser Rockers/lifters
Crane valve springs/tit. retainers
stainless steel valves
Modern Performance 60mm billet throttle body
MSD Dis-2 ignition w/retard (& launch control!)
MSD Coil
NGK Wires
Zex plugs
Hp racing 4-1 header
Greddy EVO exhaust
AEM Cool air intake w/bypass valve
Injectors ported to 310cc/min by RC Engineering
Walbro 255lph fuel pump
Adjustable fuel pressure regulator
Mopar performance ECU
Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch

Suspension:
Tein Flex Coil Over system
DC Sports strut tower bar

Other:
Autometer oil pressure, and air/fuel ratio gauges

The ecu i have changes the timing map and advances the timing a lil bit but i have no pinging problems yet. And i have good power from about 2500 on. The ecu is for a neon but it works. The reason for my previous blown engines was a poor fuel system, but thats changed now. I look to be running pretty strong, ill post pics in a week or you can just go to my site, which has old pics...http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/775307

Im new to this forum, but im glad to see another nonturbo build up, its good to know others are as crazy as i am.

Drive fast, live dangerously, look out for police
-Robbie