Doing a head gasket. What cheap performance parts I could add?

They milled my head for 60 bucks and quoted valve job at $360. If anyone know anybody in Central Connecticut that will do it for more reasonable prices, please let me know, all i need is a valve job. Now remember that cheaper doesnt mean same quality. I will go back to that place and ask if they put new valves, guides and rollers with that price.

Thank You.
 
It wouldn't be nice of me to bash the local shop so I won't name it, but it is the one attached to moms and pops auto parts store in downtown new britain, ct. across from ymca. :)

(most ct machine shops do airspace components since p&w an ge are from ct, but i am sure there has to be a shop or two that does automotive. Working for small machine shop last year, everyday we had walk-ins asking us to work on automotive parts but it just wasnt worth for us to mess with all that grease when we were turning nice ss or 4140 for the new dreamliner, hence probably the higher price for valve job in CT. that's my two cents on the issue. Everything is expensive in CT)

I still take recommendations for any other machine shop from the area that does valves at reasonable prices. Seems to me its not worth adding all that performance equipments if my valves are leaking.
 
I approciate all the help and suggestions. It's obvious you know a lot about XJs and I am going to follow your advice with intake manifold, perhaps bored out tb and spacer.
I should do my research and call all this machine shops in the area and ask if they do valve jobs, but rather have a recommended shop form Naxja members than just cold calling. I am going to wait few days to see if anyone recommends anything.
 
Besides price? There is no other problem, that is the problem. There is no gain for the price you pay. End of story.

Ever consider just getting an entire reman'd head? I had mine for about $270 ( had to send in the core, free shipping and box provided) and it was surprisingly well done. I went through J&C on ebay. Aside from the springs being a little on the weak side, everything was very well done. Took away a big headache from my rebuild.
 
It's one of those things that one guy says yes it makes power and one guy says no. Me? I say no, it's a minimal increase in plenum volume(intake capacity) and a slight increase in runner length. So in theory if BIG enough, it would yield power, but money is better spent on a 99+ intake, or a hooker for that matter. I don't have one, so I can't say it makes power or not, but I've done alot of engine work, builds and tuning w/ a dyno to know I rather pay some girl to give me a hummer, then buy a throttle body spacer.
 
Head/valve job and 99+ intake are next on my list for cheap performance gains. And a hi-flow catalytic converter, soon after.
That should be all for low cost performance gains.
Next thing would be stroker or supercharger. or did I miss anything.
(i don't consider brake upgrade a performance upgrade).

I am trying to search ebay for jeep heads but they dont have any valves, rockers or springs, just the head?

Also noone seems to mention the injectors? They seems to cost less than 10 bucks for each so that's pretty inexpensive. I am just reading now about dodge neon injectors in xj. I am a little confused as to which injectors fit or are they all the same?

I am reading this thread

I have already purchased APN header, now I read that it wont fit 99+ intake without some modifications to it.
 
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The reman head I bought came with everything. Short of the rockers. But it was decked, had full valve job, all the valves, springs, new seals, retainers, keepers, freeze plugs, bead blasted, the works.
 
I wouldn't call it cheap but I just purchased a 99 intake ($165) and Power Steering Bracket for $25 off ebay.
The reason I went with $165 intake is because my local junkyard (chuck & eddies) quoted me $245 for intake so 165 is significantly cheaper.
 
The only one I could find on ebay and like i said comparing to local junk yard the price seemed cheap just now I realize it was a little steep but i hope the satisfaction of having one will offset the price.
 
That makes sense. so i paid 165 and am expecting 16.5 HP increase. :)
Which brings me to another point. If I have to pay $300 for a valve job, there is no way that will offset any HP gains. Is it possible to buy reman. head for around $300 for 4.0 h.o. XJ.?
 
You'll be lucky to get 10hp/10lb-ft out of the intake swap. You can get reman'd heads for ~$250 on ebay all day. J&C Enterprises, Odessa, etc.
 
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