Next steps for more power - 318

my engine shop talked me out of 188s on my 302s, said it wasnt worth the cost, they installed 160 ex vaves and ported them, i read a few articles by a few different sources that back up his claim. no problem pulling 7000 in that teener.it was nice to have a guy talk himself out of more money for his shop and not make me spend more than i had to