Cut short of 200K, need new beast

[Pimperish1]

Got it in 2000 with 52K miles on it. I got caught with my pants down at 176+K when the timing belt broke . I think the beast is low clearance and the valves are therefore shot. How correct is my assumption and what beasts can I find in the US market to replace the one thats in there now. I wouldn't mind more Hp but don't want to re-engineer the entire beast compartment to get it.