My biggest regret was missing out on the $500 ultrasonic cleaner that was posted a while back. That would have saved me a fair amount of time and money.
If you look, you can find some affordable tool substitutes. For instance:
Stuff that worked well for me:
-Harbor Freight Digital Indicator - $30 instead of $83 (requires a different threaded tip, 4-48 thread, 1.5")
-QSC cam bar - $68 vs $85 for SIR cam bar
-QSC engine yoke - $200 vs $300 for a real P201.
-Harbor Freight Torque wrench - $11 each, work fine.
- make your own rod and chain holders from a $10 sheet of steel
-
Goodson Stud Remover (head studs)- works well and cheaper than Snap-On (heat the case with a torch). Thanks to KTL for the suggestion.
-Wiseco ring comressor. Easy to use, works well. Thanks to Gordo for the suggestion.
Avoid:
-Harbor Freight Digital Calipers. Not Precise enough to be useful, IMO. I borrowed a pair of Mitutoyos from work in order to double check rod bolt stretch after using the ARP stretch gauge.
-Three wheel engine stands. Mine was rated at 750 lbs and was a little tippy.
That said, buy your SIR tools from Pelican... other sites that appear to sell them cheaper do not actually have the parts in stock, and the backorder wait can be months long.