Might want to compare your 2.5 liter oil pan to a 3 liter oil pan out of a 2003 escape.....Thats the one i used for my 3 liter hybrid....Im running the same set up as the motor you blew, only i kept the stock 3 liter pistons (only 5000 miles) and bearings....And i used the 3 liter oil pan. There is a noticable diffrence in the baffles in the pan...lookings like a better peice of equipment...I ahve 17000 miles on this motor now.. .All are HARD miles...no problems.
Im not saying that could make all the diffrence, but it may be a contributing factor to your motor blowing.
Good luck with the rebuild.
Lupe
