cam swap?
 

OK, so this week I notice a rattling noise. Sounds like a lifter. I get a couple of friends to listen, and they think the same thing: lifter (it took us several minutes to discern this, because of the possibility of the cutout flapping around-it's one of those Mr. Gasket cutouts).
Oddly enough, I'm excited about it. Why? Well, while we're headed in the direction of the lifters, why not just go ahead and do a cam swap? I've got a generous savings (gotta love those scholarships!!!) So my questions are this:
1) What's the best cam for a 91 RS? (I'm probably looking at getting a dual-plane intake, so what cam will work best with that?) Best rockers, etc? Any kits from Summit or Jegs that includes the lifters, cam, springs, etc. that I'll need that's easy on the wallet, but produce a good gain?
2) What kind of labor costs should I expect from a shop? Nothing exact, just a ballpark figure, and no i can't do the swap myself.
Thanks in advance for any info.

come on, guys, 91 TBI, best cam and rocker arms? anyone?

Well, like everything, it depends. What it depends on is the rest of your combination. The answer can vary from "another stock cam" to "something pretty radical".

BUT..... before we go there, why do you think the cam is kaput? It SHOULD be a factory roller cam (thought I have personally seen TBI motors that have flat tappet cams installed from the factory). Roller cam's don't wear out unless something catastrophic goes wrong- like the roller on the bottom of the lifter getting trashed.

Are you sure you didn't just bend a phsrod? Or have a valve guide totally worn out (that can cause tapping, too)? Or a rocker arm/pivot ball wear out? Or just a rocker nut back off?