Tip:
When buying a long block or full swap take a good bright L.E.D. flashlight with you. Have the seller or you remove the spark plugs and check the following:
Specs on the spark plugs from detonation.
Use the flashlight to check the top of the pistons. Look for heavy carbon buildup, scratches, or chunks missing from the top of the piston.
If the seller has told you work has been done to the motor, i.e. new higher compression pistons swapped in, you can also check to make sure the pistons have been changed. You can see a dome height difference from stock height.
__________________
if you can only race me in a straight line then whats the point 
...91 SMF SCCA
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8341770@N07/5601083432/http://www.flickr.com/photos/8341770@N07/5601083432/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/8341770@N07/, on Flickr
I see people out there spending money on the car to improve it … If you spend half that effort just working on your driving skills, making you and the car work together as a team, then you’ll go faster – period. To make the car go a second faster on the track takes a lot more energy and money than making yourself drive it one second faster.
– the late Tom Thrash SCCA Solo E Production