Swapping EX head - options/opinions please

Hey guys,

I've decided to replace the cylinder head on my cabby. 
It must have gone about 3 times. Not been skimmed so I would assume that's the reason why. Last time I did the job myself the valve seats were completely toast. Really bad, but at the time I needed the car urgently so did the new gasket and bolts to keep it going.

I want to change the head, but hopefully for an upgraded item. I've heard that the gti head will fit on and the injector holes need to be blocked off. Are there other models from the vw range that will fit? Eg from newer cars/engines?
Would ideally like the head to have hydro tappets too.

So of the options available, which will be the best kind of "upgrade"? I'm keeping the carb (replaced with the Weber 32/34). 

Replacing the head is needed at the moment, it is sealed but i know its toast, plus a spark plug hole has lost its thread…its also on 190k. 
In the meantime I'm saving for a complete engine replacement (will be doing a 16v conversion at some point). 
So the new head is a make do to get the car on the road for everyday use.

Any information on the options available, or personal experience from anyone who has changed the head would be massively appreciated!

Cheers!

any mk1/2/rocco/cabrio 1.8 gti head will do you, post 87 one for hydro lifters. EV, PB or DX engine codes are what you're looking for.

couple options for the injector holes, either just leave the injectors in or unscrew the inserts and drop coins underneath. some heads have the same thread on the injector holes as gearbox drain/fill bungs so thats another option too.

since the carb is a weber no need to worry about the lack of coolant channel hole either,. though some kjet heads have a vacuum pipe where the coolant channel is on the carby inlet so that'll need taking out and blocking off somehow, or grind the inlet away till it clears. or just get a head without one for an easy life

you'll just have to block off the coolant hose outlet on the metal pipe for the inlet connection, use a hose with a bolt stuck in it or something

since its only a temp fix look out for 1.6-1.8 mk1/2/cab/rocco carb heads too, on the other hand if you do get an injection head it'll make the lump more saleable later on. plus with the injection head on it you will have made a 1.8 GTI lump as the carb 1.8 bottom end is exactly the same as the gti 1.8