[edit: added] Okay, this forum didn't want to show the coding I used to adjust the values, so you're on your own.

From the default folder ...Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\My Games\GalCiv2 there will be files for each of the races (they will only exist if you've played those races).

For example, CurrentCustomRace0 refers to Humans, CurrentCustomRace5 to the Yor Collective, and CurrentCustomRace10 for the custom race.

Open up any of these files with a text editor (such as word pad), and have fun adjusting starting values and tech.

There appears to be no limit. You can give your race a +10000% boost in anything. Now, if you look at your available points, it will give you a negative value (same with tech if adjusted this way), but the game will ignore it and still let you play with the modified values.