Dave, get this book. I think this is the second book this guy Wayne Scraba has written about tips and tricks. It looks like you can get one for $2.80 plus shipping and handling. http://www.amazon.com/1001-More-High...e=UTF8&s=books

I would also urge you to investigate thermal and low resistance coatings.....
http://hpcoatings.com/
http://www.polydyn.com/hpec.htm
http://www.swaintech.com/
http://www.performancecoatings.com/
http://www.embeeperformance.com/

You didn't say whether you have to run a hydraulic cam. If so, make spacers to push the plunger down in the lifter body until you have only 0.005" to 0.010" plunger travel. Hey, it's still a hydraulic, but it's about as close to being a solid as you'll get. NHRA guys do it all the time.