my car smokes bad when driven but runs perfect. I was told I needed new lifters??

Welcome to the forum, manmeman978. Lifters aren't your problem unless you hear a lot of clacking from the engine. Bad lifters don't cause smoke. Is the tailpipe oily? The two biggest reasons for oil smoke (dark) in a high milage engine are that the rings are worn or the valve seals have dried up and cracked allowing oil to go down the valve stem into the cylinder. You could try changing the PCV valve and using a thicker oil (10W-40) to see if the smoke is less. If it is white smoke then you are getting water into the cylinders due to a blown intake or head gasket. This is very bad because antifreeze will wear out the bearings quickly. Have a reputable shop check it out and stay away from whoever told you it was the lifters!