Should i pull the motor or just the head?

[Rubberman2003]

My 90 gsx broke down on the way to work a few days ago. It needs a head gasket.

I have a 3" turbo back exhaust, manual boost controller, and a K&N air filter.

I was debating pulling the engine and putting new rods and pistons in. Even though Ive got 150 compression all the way across except on one (120) where the gasket is blown.

I'm in a dilemma, i want to increase my horsepower a lot while i have it a part (best time to do it) Lots of people told me not to worry about the bottom end at all. If thats the case ill just pull the head off and do my mods. BUT i dont know what kind of clutch it has or the condition (it doesn't slip, although on a really hard launch there is a faint clutch smell). Which is kind of making me lean towards replacing it.

What would you do, pull the motor and just replace the clutch, pull the motor and do everything (only problem with the rebuilt is it tops my budget a bit, so the car would sit around for a bit so i could get some more money for it) or just pull the head, do the mods, and put it back together, replace the clutch when it goes out? BTW the car has 136K on it, the motor was suppose to have be rebuilt around 115K (although my headgasket blew

The mods i was thing of are these ( I'm still looking for what brands and stuff though, any suggestions on that would be great. BTW the cars timing belt and tensioner was just replaced a couple of K ago. Also the balance shaft belt.

Cams
Intake
Turbo (evoiii big 16g??????)
Exhaust manifold
Pistons
Rods
Fuel pump
Injectors
BoV
Intercooler (front mount)
IC piping
Clutch kit
Cold air intake


How would those mods do? I know thats very general, but that could get me into the 12'S easy right? Any help would be great, id like to get started, I'm cruising ebay and other places for deals (trying to save as much as i can) I guess by looking at it, the thing to do is put the gasket in and the cams, then do the rest as i go, but i dunno.

 

[Rubberman2003]

The more i sit here the more im thinking about going and pulling my darned head off hehe, i hate being indecisive.

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

If it's not your daily and you have time and money then rebuild the engine. it depends on how much power you want to make.

 

[Rubberman2003]

Ive got another car to drive, well about 3 i could drive. But i would like this on up asap.

 

[Nelsons91AWD]

With these mods it wouldn't be necessary to build your engine with rods and pistons, unless you plan on a bigger turbo and more boost.

A good Headgasket and ARP headstuds would be fine for your setup.

If you have the head off, you may as well do the Tranny too if you can afford the clutch. a little more room to work in, plus all your tools are out anyway