tell me more about what you have ?
street car? 12 to 1? More would help power, but!! what do you run for gas?
what ratio rockers?
definately would help with more ratio.
what gear and RPM at the stripe?
what Dia headers and how long and also collectors? dia and length?

tuning helps a lot more than most people think.
its called volumetric efficiency.
when it all gets in its tuned lengths, its like a freight train at the big end

and yes a bit of weight out will always help.