How much are the ported e7 heads? Without knowing the price I'd day eh not really. Years ago I was looking at Thumper ported e7's they were running somewhere around $700 a set plus a core charge and shipping both ways (in order to get you're core charge back). So you're $700 heads are now over a grand. And if I remeber right they came w stock valves. I researched and researched looking at dyno numbers and the average "thumper", gt40 intake, w mild cam type setup was like 240-250 rear horse and some as low as 230 some odd. Well I didn't get them because that's not much bang for the buck (don't forget gaskets costs, and probably some head bolts) and I didn't really have the $ at the time anyway. My broke azz was still trying to scratch the horsepower itch and I wanted to throw a little money at the car to keep the project alive so I had my lower ho lower intake ported. With a mild cam, stock e7's w comp springs, and the ported lower it made 223 rwhp. With all of the above minus the ported lower it made 205.
So for $300 I made just about as much power as the majority running the thumper e7's. Yes there are a few fools who made 280 or so with them but they had high dollar intakes and cams. Why would one do that I don't know.. So unless the ported e7's are almost free I'd take a pass.
I see you mentioned the "bolt-on game." From one budget man to another, keep the bolt-ons at a minimum. While the price is right and you can buy this and that here and there, at the end of the day you're really not gaining much and getting your dollar's worth. By the time you add up all the cost of such items as, throttle bodies, cold air intake, cat-back exhaust, etc, etc you have quite a chunk o' change invested (remeber fellas, budget man's pockets) and you've gained like 10-15 horsepower. While bolt-ons keep the hobby alive that's pretty much it.. If you bought this
4FA218-010L Mustang Vortech Supercharger Kit Satin Low-Boost V-3 Sl Sci-Trim 5.0L 1986-1993 | CJ Pony Parts and had stock everything else you'd come out way head and probably spent less. It's not 1988 anymore, it'll take more than loud mufflers and a 65mm throttlebody to beat a Kia.
PS: if you buy the ported e7's you still might have your hands full racing a new Camry. Food for thought.