[CarsByCarl]

At 11:1, you won't have any problems with a quality stock style head gasket and stock head bolts. Stay away from copper head gaskets in anything but a dedicated racing engine, and even then they're a pain.

The block will need no mods for that cam, but you will of course need aftermarket valve springs and rockers.

On the balance issue, under 6000rpm it doesn't really make a difference. If your rpm's are higher than that, internal gets the nod.