It is far easier to swap a whole motor, than just some parts, assuming you are starting from nothing.
I'd make sure the oil isn't stinky, and the valvetrain is clean, with no badly worn lobes or rockers. If the car is running, do a compression test and wiggle the turbo impeller. My current engine (bone stock, replaced head gasket) I found in a U-pull-it for $150. After finding a bad turbo on it and pulling the head, I discovered it was a brand new '83 factory remanufacture. Compression tested within a psi across all 6.