What else should I change out when I go to swap my head-gasket?

 

Check the cylinder walls and if you are gonna pull the motor might as well get new rings and bearings. Also new cam seals, and a new Valvecover gasket this would also be a good time to route in a direct port nitrous setup, or AIT sensor etc as the intake manifold will most likely be taken off. Esp if you wanna do a mild port and polish on the combustion chamber etc. Also this would be a good time to upgrade any faulty studs.

 

I'd just go with a new timing belt and water pump.

 

^ +1
And a thermostat considering your coolant will already be drained.
Injectors too, might as well take care of the upgrade ahead of time.

 

hell a reroute might be a good project as well.

 

I'm kicking myself for not doing the reroute when I had my head off....oh well, without my coil pack on anymore it's not hard to access.

 

Thank you very much. Would I be better off just dropping in another working engine?

 

thats what i would do.... its all depends on how old you motor is.

 

No you wouldn't be better off just getting a new engine. The headgasket, TB, and WP are cheap in comparison to a replacement motor and your own labor.
Plus even with a replacement motor, you might as well replace the TB, WP and headgasket just to know they're good.

 

Just go ahead and order a new timming belt, water pump, and direct port nitrous. Might as well replace the belt and water pump while you can, and it wouldn't be much trouble to drill and tap four holes for the nitrous ports while the intakes off. Coolant reroute is also recommended. Basically, do as much as you can while it's off.