thinking ahead about an engine rebuild

[MoToRNecK]

So been thinking awhile about rebuilding my 2.3 lima engine in my 1996 ranger since its running on 340,000 miles.
A couple questions are coming to mind on what i want to do and looking for some ideas.
First off going to be running a stock bottom end of the motor with some new keith black pistons bored .030 over stock. but a bit confused on the cam i would want to run i plan on getting an adjustable cam gear for timing but looking for a good rv cam to give me a bit more low end grunt.

Also curious at looking if higher compression was possible with a differennt set of pistions but keeping the factory head. besides milling down the head.

I would like to run a bigger injector and i believe i would need a programmer to do so what would be recommended for a tuner and what injectors.

I also am looking at changing from that pos factory header where the tubes are pinched at the collector but cant seem to find a direct replacement header for the 2.3 ranger only for svo mustang or mekur and i dont know if those will bolt up to my factory cat pipe.

let me know any advise or things you have done that really helped.