So my 2003 has 87k miles and a blown head gasket I believe.
Car is overheating, has a miss, and slight white smoke out the back. Needless to say it’s been sitting since this has happened. First thing I’m going to do is a compression check to check things out inside to see what's going on for sure.

My real question is; any opinions on what I should do while I’m in the engine for upgrades? Thought about heads or cams, but would it even be worth it as they are definitely pricey.
There is no FI and it's an Auto. I pretty much have it anymore for looks not too much power.

What do you think I should do next?

 

If after doing a compression test and everything is equal you could have the heads freshened/new gasket and put her back on the road. If you don't spend a lot of time at "red line" probably good for another 50K miles. Or if you feel like spending the $ have it rebuilt with new Dayton sleeves and stroker kit to 4.2, that would be a sweet engine and still reliable/nasty fast....
Gary

 

Haha yeah a stroker kit would be nice, if it wasn't 4-$5000 for it. But plans for now are to compression check, deck the heads, then back on the road. if I could find decent engine mods for 2000 or under I’d be all about it. But this engine is a money pit and a half... and I knew that going into her too

 

they're never the same after a major job like that....if it's a head gasket I'd dump it and get yourself something new.