When ordering new head gaskets what does the "0.030" mean? Is it the thikness or the bore. If it is the thickness would it raise or lower the compression?

 

It is what the compressed thickness should be. A .030 will raise the compression ratio over the stock one. You cannot go too thin as youmay have problems with clearance between the piston and the head if you piston is above the deck at TDC.

 

I installed a .030 (thirty thou) Cometic head gasket on my '98 DWG, with stock heads, my CP (cold cranking pressure) went from 165 lbs to 170 lbs, this is with an EV27 cam.MyCR probably went from 8.7:1 to 8.9:1. Bikes runs better.

 

Combine the proper squish, with a good set of heads/cam and you'll see how it is supposed to run.

 

Would I run into problems on a 88 evo with a ev27 cam and stock heads, or would I be better off going with the stock gaskets?

 

You should be fine as long as your piston is not above the deck at top dead center.