3.slow rebuild

[smithoman]

I was driving from Phoenix to San Francisco and one of the bearings on the crank went bye bye near Palm Springs. It's one of those sounds you just don't want to hear! Long story told short, I towed it to the Bay Area and I'm in the process of pulling the 3.0 V6. I have a great machine shop who will do the block and the heads for around 2K all told. It'll be great to have a fresh engine in there. I had a couple of ideas.

1. Should I put in an aftermarket cam? I drive highway almost exclusively.
2. Should I put on a more efficient exhaust system?

Lack of power has always been the issue although I enjoy the 20mpg.

I'm going to do a lift while the engine is out 1-3 inchs. Haven't made my mind up on that yet.

Any input out there? I'd love to do a 3.4 liter conversion but that's too much for my current situation. But I'd love to hear any input. If I'm going to spring 2 grand on a reuilt engine, I'm open to alternatives.

Thanks as always.

Oh yeah, I got a smokin deal on some highway tires. New Yokohama Y788's were going to cost me a grand. I got 4 used Firestones, load range E on craigslist for $175 total. And they rock on the highway!! At least until the engine crapped out...

 

[n8buddy]

im sure you could do a 3.4l swap for 2k, check out some local junkyards there are always trucks there that have been t-boned so the engine is still good. i priced one out at my local junkyard and they wanted $1200 pulled. but if you are dead set on the 3.0l i would put some headers on while the engine is out. they are pretty pricey but they will help with mpg, power and head gasket longevity.

 

[hybridgix]

im sure you could do a 3.4l swap for 2k, check out some local junkyards there are always trucks there that have been t-boned so the engine is still good. i priced one out at my local junkyard and they wanted $1200 pulled. but if you are dead set on the 3.0l i would put some headers on while the engine is out. they are pretty pricey but they will help with mpg, power and head gasket longevity.

where abouts could i source out a set of headers from for the 3slow?