ROC, I'm going to post your email to me here for all to view in an effort to get you as much exposure to the informed minds here as possible. Mike had a couple specific questions you should try to get the answers to to help reply to these latest questions. The kinds of heads you currently have may help fill in the blanks. If you don't know exactly (other than the iron part) get a casting number from the heads (make sure both are the same too). Your objective of 300 hp is not unrealistic, just takes the right combo.

"Appreciate your response which sort of confirms what my suspicions were. I must be a glutton for punishment. Am a novice re most of the drivetrain components and their EFFECTIVE match between each other. I agree the first issue is with the cam as the car is normal street car driving range between idle (600 rpm) to approx 2500 rpm at highway cruising speed. Only time that high end goes up is flooring accelerator where it is reaches around 3500 rpm max shift point between 1st and 2nd gear.
Was also suspicious of the OE iron heads. If I changed out to loaded aluminum units can you advise on products? Am also concerned about the correlation of the distr. cam, weights and springs as contributing to the performance issue. Any thoughts on this or is it a waste of time for street car. Think that is where most confusion is. I want a street car but the shops must be advising on a race car.

Am searching for a power train that will provide me with minimum approx 300HP at the rear wheels with min of 300+ Lb ft of torque across flat band again for street/hway driving.

The following 2 cams I am considering using as replacement. Your comments please??? If I go with roller cam #2 what will it require as far as fundamental changes if any to heads etc??? What would you suggest?

Also is there a point at which you must go to HiPo drivetrain and use prem grade fuel 91/93, or is it still possible to get the numbers I want from a drivetrain using reg grade fuel 87.

Greatly appreciate your insight and help in directing me to where I should have been 6 years ago. Would it be worth my while to just dump the rebuild and invest in ZZ4 crate as all my friends with camaros have advised? Drop it in and go.
Will also check on cats. Fortunately the car no longer requires emissions testing so I could dispense with these altogether.

Thanks again.

Extreme Energy Hydraulic Flat Tappet---Recommended

RPM Operating Range
1300-5600
Duration Adv. at .50"
In Ex In Ex
262 270 218 224
Valve Lift Lobe
1.5" rocker Separation
In Ex Angle
462 .469 110 deg

ROLLER CAM
RPM Operating Range
1600-5400
Duration Adv. at .50"
In Ex In Ex
270 276 218 224

Valve Lift Lobe
1.5" rocker Separation
In Ex Angle
495 .502 110 deg


CURRENT LUNATI CAM
Duration @ .50 ins Advertised Duration
224 deg 290 deg
224 deg 290 deg

Open/close @ .050 ins Gross Valve Lift
04 deg
BTC
40 deg .460 ins
ABC .460 ins
48 deg
BBC
04 deg
BTC
Lobe Separation Valve Lash Adj.
112 deg .000 ins INT
.000 ins EXH


LUNATI advised me that the 112 deg would provide plenty of vacuume even for power brakes."