The step pistons are indeed the best. No matter what the compression ratio I recommend the quench pad or "step" be at zero deck with a .040" head gasket. .020" in the hole if you use a .020" steel shim gasket. In theory it not only helps with squish and turbulance but allows you to run higher compre...

No cleaning up of the heads, they flow very well as they are. The race allows extra compression and Melvin likes compression. The chamber is a slow burn so best total timing is on the high side at 43 degrees. The 2.5" mandrel exhaust also helps.