valve tap?

okay so I took the car to a mechanic to check it out, he says he's 95% sure it's a sticky lifter or maybe the timing chain (probably unlikely).

sooooo after blowing up an engine once, and hurting this one I plan on doing a rebuild so I don't have to worry about wether I have a car this week when when i'm spraying.

I've been doing a lot of research on the internals of an engine and I'm still doing it....I found a site for a set of Diamond forged rings, pistons, rods and bearings for $1300 they claim it's good up to 700 hp and maybe find a cobra crank. now my goals are simple, I want a car that I can drive everyday to work without sacraficing more gas milage then I already am with the occasional 150 shot now and again when I hit the track. That should put me around 400 on the juice. I see a lot of info in the boards about building up the block but I don't really see much on the heads....I'm not looking for added performance with the heads in my current plans so I'm staying with the stock cams, etc but what can I do to add some durability to my heads to withstand the 150 shot?