Hello everyone!

I have a few n00b questions for the community, if anyone can help me out.

The basic overall question is, where are the power losses in my stock D17A2 taking place, and how to I minimize power losses while minimizing cost?

1) As the motor is currently NA, I understand volumetric efficiency of both the intake and exhaust systems is paramount. I assume I should replace the most restrictive components first. So concerning intake/exhaust aspiration, how to the various components rank? I assume the way to see less restriction to flow would be a lower differential pressure across the system or part in question. Anyone have any empirical experience with this sort of thing?

3) To make more NA power, I understand I will have to raise compression. Before I do anything, what parameters of engine operation should I actively monitor in order to see problems before they destroy my motor? Here's the list of what I think I should monitor, feel free to add to the list:

Telemetry ill be viewing thru laptop:
a) Air / Fuel ratio
b) Knock events per cylinder over time
c) Current spark timing

Gauge-based telemetry:
a) Cylinder head temp - contact pyrometer
b) Engine coolant temperature - stock sensor
c) EGT - contact pyrometer
d) Differential pressure b/w intake manifold and atmospheric press.
e) Discharge pressure of engine oil pump
f) Engine oil temperature
g) Fuel pressure (at rail)

Once ive got my instrumentation installed, I'll feel a whole lot better about doing any tuning. Now, for compression...

I see three possible scenarios here...

1) Shorter height head gasket (If this is even possible)
2) Mill the head/block interface.
3) Mill the valves and valve seats? (this is the stock head, 30k miles...should still be sealing pretty well)
3) Change piston geometry? (Is this possible, or just a bad idea?)

Once I know its possible, then the question is, how much can I raise the ratio and still be able to find fuel for the car?

Lots of questions and ideas, absolutely no experience. This should be interesting.