IMO Stock compression would put you right where you want to be with 'more kick'. You will then need a mixture of racing fuel and super unleaded. It's available here but is it where you are? One way to go that you could stay right away from the machine shop and/or pulling the engine is to get yourself a set of aluminum heads. You would be looking at about what it would cost you to swap pistons(parts & labor) but you can swap heads yourself on a weekend.