I can get the edelbrock e-tecs for cheap, are the 170s decent or are there better routes to go for mild h/c with spray?

 

They're excellent. I run the 200's since I have boost. The 170's work well with naturally-aspirated Vortec engines. They have stainless valves and enough spring to support 6000RPM. (The PCM will only support 5800.) E-Tec 170's are smog legal - even in CA.
The aluminum will let you advance timing a little bit if you're to tune it.

There are a lot of details to a head swap. I think you should work on the other bolt-on stuff first.