Well, as Snoopy pointed out, valve float can also be an issue with building up a head. It happens when someone tries to exceed the rpm range that the springs and cam profile is designed for (meaning that the cams & crank are traveling faster than the springs can close the valves).

My advice is this: Determine if you want to build a N/A or boosted/Nitrous engine. Then locate suitable cams with a profile that matches this desire. Do the research on these components and see what "wakes up" the profile. Camshaft manufacturers don't just make a cam and sell it, they almost always have a list if what they used with the cam when they tested it, or what this cam profile requires (at least all the major brands do this, anyway). Look at what setup they used and what they reccomend to get a good idea of what kind of mods you will need to bring that cam to life.
When you decide on a cam profile, make sure you buy matching springs, valves, retainers, seats, etc so that you don't have parts compatability issues. Most of the time you can buy a 'kit' which has all matched components already and takes the hassles out of that problem.
As for equasions... they'll come in handy for tuning the cams, fuel needs, ignition curve, etc. once you get the basics parts laid out.