Rebuild / Build Up

When I got my motor rebuilt I replaced everything except the crank and rods. I got them shot peened & polished to help make them a little stronger. Went with ARP rod and head bolts, new lifters a windage tray...the rest of my mods are in my sig. As for how much the stock bottom end can handle...it can handle a lot. There are plenty of guys running in the 10s & 11s with superchargers and stock bottom ends. But with a 126K on the odometer...that's a judgement call. You could always slap some new heads and a manifold on your current set up. Even with the stock cam you'll be making tons more power than you are now. Then when you're ready for the rebuild or your motor starts getting tired...rebuild the bottom end then, get a new cam and lifters...and reuse the same heads and manifold. If you are eventually going to go with aluminum heads...I'd spend the extra cash for the AFRs.