Serial between two Arduinos?

Sure. Get some CAT5/ethernet cable and connect them up.
Start with slower speeds, work up until comm's get unreliable, and then back down.

I have similar small boards available as well, with '328 family or '1284 chip family. User assembly required at the moment. Am working on a reflow oven controller to put chips on myself.
www.crossroadsfencing.com/BobuinoRev17