Need some advice re. 1800 head on a 2000 motor

[ga.spyder]

I need some expert advice /opinions.I documented our last effort racing the Lemons series.The team has aquired a 2000 motor,and plan to remove the stock 1600 we used in the last race.This was a f.i. motor,that will now have dual IDF's and open header with low restriction muffler(required).The engine has stock cams.We have a 1800 head that is going on the mill.Is there anything we should do to this ,to improve breathing.I am sure that some porting and polishing may be in the budget.Not sure about bigger valves.Do we need a head gasket other than stock,to raise compression a bit.Any feedback would be appreciated.I know you guys want to see us do well,and be a Miata assain!!
ps...The key to any success in this series is staying on track.Reliability is the key,and we will absolutely be willing to sacrifice some horsepower.We really need more low end grunt coming out of the slow corners.
Thanks,Craig

[narfire]

I was told that one can take up to 20 thou off the head, but perhaps Beek or some of the other racing crowd could confirm. I took 10 thou off a 1800 head and no issues with the valves. Big valves evidently help at the higher rpm range.
Match the intake and exhaust. A set of cams are really what will wake up that engine with the adjustable cam wheels. That set up will give you the pull to get out of the corners in a hurry. Thought the Lemons cars had a budget to stay below though?
Chris

[ga.spyder]

The budget on the Lemons cars is a gray area.If the engine looks stock and belongs in the car ,you are probably ok.We will still be much closer to stock than most teams.There are plenty of wolves in sheeps clothing out there.We will still slot into Group C,which are the slowest group,but we are competing against Miatas,Celicas, BMW,etc... that are 4 cylinders putting out a lot more h.p. than us.Cars more highly modified or swaps with bigger engines get moved up to A or B class.

[djape1977]

been there, done that. be shure to use head gasket for volumex or turbo. high compression that you will get by installing 1800 head onto 2000cc engine will kill ordinary head gasket very quickly.

http://www.cqout.com/item.asp?id=2371384 or something like that