Your thoughts on intake/exhaust choices ??

Just a quick FYI. You stated about swapping to solid lifter valve gear. What rocker shaft did you use? The hydro, or the solid? They are different. The oil holes for the rocker arms are in a different location, between the two. You must use the correct shaft, for proper rocker arm oiling. If you look at the bottom of the shaft, the hydro shaft has the oil holes in line with the shaft mounting holes. The solid shaft has the oil holes offset from the mounting holes.