Well thanks for the added tip on the Streetmaster manifold, I am not familiar with that manifold but I recognize the need for high velocity intake at low rpm; is the Streetmaster available new? What got me thinking was finding the Crane cam with a GM part No. with an even shorter intake duration of 180 degrees, so the Elgin 5911 has longer duration than the Crane cam! I am glad you are not offended because you are a source of a lot of valuable knowledge. I checked with the Automotive Warehouse folks in Charlotte and they do already use the 0.035"-0.040" quench/squish in their 9:1 C.R. crate motor and they say I should be able to use 89 octane gas for sure and maybe even 87 octane with the quench effect. They seem to offer reasonable custom features in the engines they build so I will hold them to a 0.040" squish and then pick the Melling 22108 and if that is too tame I will add 1.6 ratio rockers for a little more lift at the valve. You are only slightly younger than me and I am pushing within my economic limit to get my roadster built while I can still enjoy it, but the price of gas may continue to go up while I build!

Best wishes,
Don Shillady/teen rodder