So, it looks like I'll be booking in at AKS soon then. It also sounds like new injectors might be more important than walnut blasting, but worth doing both at the same time.
Off topic, but whilst I'm there I'll be looking to do new mounts - thinking VW Racingline hockey puck/dogbone mount (VWR15G503) and then standard engine mounts. Anyone any experience of this sort of combo? I don't want it so stiff it's uncomfortable to daily, but want a bit more fore/aft control than standard.