I have either a blown head gasket or a cracked head so im going to have to take the heads off here soon. I was wondering if there are any suggestion to replacing other parts while i have the engine stripped down to the block.

 

You need to add a signature to your name so we can see what type of car you have what year what motor size, then we can give you some ideas!

 

budget, goals? plans for the car

 

Sorry, about that. I have a 1994 Camaro Z28 with the LT1. My budget right now isn't very much, maybe $1000 max. Im just wanting the car to run smooth and be a relible ride right now.

 

not going to be able to do much with 1000$, maybe fix the head gaskets and put some LTs and a ORY on it.

 

He would have to be extremely lucky to get all that for $1k.

 

Assuming you are providing the labor

I'd start with:
Used LT1 heads - $125-175
Cleaned and checked at reputable shop - $75 (better safe than sorry)
LT1 Head bolt set - $20
LT1 upper manifold gasket set - $20
LT1 exhaust manifold gasket set - $20-40 (use good quality ones here)
Impala head gaskets - $40 (extra compression)
Fresh oil and filter - $30

Additional Options:
1.6:1 self-aligning rockers - $200-350 (extra lift)
Mild cam - $250-300 (more aggressive timing events)
Mail-order tune - $150-250 (improved efficiency)
Timing set (if you have more than 80K on the ODO, you probably have play in the chain. Replace it)

I wouldn't normally spend money on long tubes if you don't already have a CAI and catback.
But if you have the extra cash, it's not a bad idea since the exhaust manifolds will be off anyhow.
You're talking $400-600 for LTs alone, the ORY could be fabricated ($70-100) or purchased ($150-250).

At the very least, give it a tuneup. (fluids, filters, plugs/wires (if needed))

 

sorry, I was thinking w/ labor....just re-read and it sounds like you may be doing this yourself.

 

For a thousand bucks, if you have a shop do it, you will probably only be able to afford the head gasket repair. If you do the work yourself, you are still pushing the envelope with that kind of budget to do any performance upgrades if that is what you were inquiring about. Personally, I would get it running, save the difference, and use it towards some basic bolt-on mods when more money becomes available.

 

very well put, $1000 is not going to get u anywhere with performance mods. I spent nearly $1000 replacing my opti, plugs, wires, cam, lifters, pushrods, rocker arms then the gasket sets (intake manifold & timing set), it gets real expensive real quick. As said fix ur problem at hand, save the difference and throw in some nice bolt ons and when ur tired of that, then go nice head/cam package!

 

There aren't going to be any labor charges. I plan on doing all the work myself unless it involves getting machine work done

 

well heres what I did: bought pacesetter LT's used- bolted up never ran 350$ shipped,
lt4 hot cam with springs retainers and locks, lifters and pushrods 1500 miles, perfect shape- 200$ shipped, slightly used less than 1000 miles, proform blue anodized 1.6rr's -100$ shipped, o2 extensions-50$, prothane poly engine and trans mounts-70$, gaskets header bolts loctite, RTV and misc stuff 60$, true dual with x-pipe- and bullets 220$, and madZ tune-150$

said and done im at around 1200$ give or take a little,
if you play your cards right you can do alot man.