Well i picked up the car with the engine in pretty crappy condition. I think it's running on like 5 clyinders, so today i changed plugs on the drivers side after school. Took me 3 hours because of those damn headers. I also changed the wires ( i grabbed bosch plugs and valuecraft wires, im just trying to get it to run correctly so i know where i stand and to find out where the knock is coming from). Im gunna do the other sides plugs tomorrow. I also fixed the horrible header leak i had ( number 8's bolt keeps backing out, i assume the header is warped)..So that said..

Im gunna rebuild the motor soon because of the knock. I've got around 6K to do everything to the car, so i figure ill throw 4k or less down on the motor. I dont want to go crazy with, because im not running any forced induction (so forging anything is up for question, b.c i dont see the need too, but i might be wrong, you guys prob know better than me lol) Some things that concern me most are the heads and rotating assembly,this is because the guy ported the heads on my car himself, so there shot and i assume the knock is in the rotating assembly, so idk if its because the bottom end was weak b/c of whats done to the car or what..? Another thing id like to discuss is a good catback and headers. The car sounds great, but the catback crush bent. And since my headers are warped, i wanna get new ones. I was thinking longtubes, but im open for suggestions..

So as you can see theres alot of info there. So basically my questions are
1. Headers?
2. Good performing heads for a decent amount of money
3. How much a good engine rebuild would cost with good quality parts?
4. Should i rebuild my bottom end to stock?
5. Good brands and what brands i should stay away from
6. Say i forged the whole bottom end, how much more would that run me than a stock rebuild?

..i think thats all my questions..thanks for taking the time to read this

 

i have Heddman headers on my car and the plug access is pretty damn good.

both Hooker and Heddman make long tubes for 3rd gens,and i hear the Heddmans tuck up closer to the car than the Hookers,but wouldnt do that and lower your car at the same time b/c of ground clearance issues.

a GREAT street head for the money are the Vortecs like Robvas mentioned. i have them on my car (see sig) and im really impressed w/ them,especially for the money. if you do get them,buy them hopped up (bigger springs for added lift,screw-in studs,guide plates if you dont want to run self aligning rocker arms). thats what i did.



rebuilding your bottom end w/ forged internals would probably cost u close to 4k. i would do forged pistons if u plan on using nitrous at all,but since u said u wont be running forced induction,i wouldnt worry about forged stuff.

 

I have heddman shorty headers, it was my first time changing plugs on the car since i just got it, and ive never changed em on a 1.v8, 2.engine with headers...so it was a new expierence i guess. Just the back 1's are a pain in the ***.

I wanted to go with a stealth ram for an intake, but you guys say if i wanted to go with vortec heads, id have to get the intake as well..hmm..where can i find these heads and intake, i wannt take a look at them

thanks for the replies guys...also where else can i find the cheap shortblocks?