you donnt have to have taller valve covers. i installed mine with the stock ones. i used the harland sharp non adjustables. just bolt and go. about 15hp throughout the rpm range.
you have to really research your cam out. thats why i am going with the one i got. i can use it with my 1.7's with no problems. you are looking for a cam in the .480 lift area if you want to use the 1.7's. you could go with a 5.12 lift cam, but with the 1.7's that is gonna put you right at the max lift for a stock 360, which is like .544. and with that kind of lift you definitaly want to check piston to valve clearance.
the cam i am going with has a 119 lsa and a 37* overlap. it wont have alot of bottom end, or have a choppy idle. but it is gonna be very boost friendly. which is in my future.got a plan.
a cam swap done right is gonna cost you around 1500$. there is alot more to it than just a cam. and 1.7 rockers is gonna cost around 500$. this is doing it yourself. mine with heads and everything is gonna be about 2500$. i already have 1000$ in parts setting in garage. still gotta get heads. thats doing it myself.
now with all that said, and had to do it over again, i wouldnt even waste my time with the 1.7's.(though there is a gain, and a easy install) i would just get a cam for the lift and duration that i wanted.
sorry i didnt see this before. i usually hang out in the 2nd gen forums i am on. even though i am 3rd gen truck, 2nd gen powered.lol
i donnt see a tuner in your sig. that is the best bang for the buck.