I feel like I shouldn't update this because I haven't sorted it completely.
I installed my ported head 3200 miles ago. At the same time I upgraded rods and pistons, resealed my injection pump and re-did my glow plug harness(used proper 4 wire harness).
The most important thing to mention first is that us two non engine machinists did the valve job.
First off it pulls really nice, I gained 200rpm on the low end. My turbo ran out of breath on the top end because it was so small and flowed so good, I had to cut boost earlier but it still pulled as good. Now I have a bigger turbo and it pulls nicely to 5500rpm, or higher(vcds only reads to 5355rpm).
Overall performance increases are awesome.
Now the bad - its most likely my change to the glow system, but it could be my valve job or reduction in swirl. It doesn't start nice with the stock glow plug duration, if I glow it multiple times it starts great, if I unplug the CTS and glow it longer, it starts great, boom its on, no excess cranking. Otherwise, it takes some effort to start.