New to engine rebuilds

[Canyonero]

I don't know anything about cleaning an electronic EGR... I have a couple spares, don't know what shape they're in though. Those are expensive bastards.

I'm just assuming that I'll have to tolerate the light until I do an OBDII conversion and can have that stuff erased.

[zeusalmighty]

Ok, I can say goodbye to the heads too (if I have to) . I'll be perusing junkyards pretty soon, see if I can't find a complete one. Now on to the transmission. My mechanic buddy in NC says that I could get my automatic re-geared and it would be able to take whatever. Is this option really viable or was he just blowing smoke up my ass? I want to switch to a manual, but I'd have to start cutting and ripping and fabricating... not sure I'm ready for that just yet.