What to do with 96 head?
 

Starting the rebuild on my 96 1.8 swapped into my 93 NA. While I have the head off what should I have done while it is at the shop? My future plans are to throw a small turbo (t25) with a mspnp system. Not looking for crazy whp results just a street/track car. And I am not looking at swapping out with a 99 head, just want to get the 96 worked on and have this car running by next weekend. Thoughts and suggestions!

Nothing. I wouldn't even waste my time doing a DIY portmatch on an early head.

My biggest concern is leaking compression and may be slightly warped. I want to get my valves worked and maybe deck the head but not much.

Get a 99 head.

99 head.

so spend $500+ for the head to spend more for misc work when I just want basic head work done?

I am also running 1.6 electronics

Yes, spend the money for the later head. A stock '99 head will outflow a fully ported '96 head. Nobody with half a brain spends money on porting an early cylinder head.

sav is right. and you dont need to spend 500+ for one.. stock nb1 head would be perfect for you.

John Day has a few 99 core heads I believe.

regardless of the head you use, Given going to a turbo at some point, if any machine work is done I would unshroud the valves. Gains a lot of low lift flow at the valve and drops CR a tad.