[llwta76]

Street only build for a 81 Trans Am.
1972 400 short block all bone stock ( he bought it with 42,000 original miles) very little wear evident so he very lightly honed with the cheap rigid hone and installed new rings.
Heads are #17 small valve with 7/16 studs and a 3 angle valve job set up by Kaufman for use with CC XE 268 hyd flat cam. Trans is a T350 . Intake is the standard performer.
He wants to use 24-2600 converter and maybe 3.42 rear end.

Here was my response: I estimate a 9.9 cr with those heads and told him that cr with bad quench(.060")with the XE268 will ping badly on pump gas. That cam will also be done by 5000rpm tops and that stall converter and rear gear is not helping his combo. I told him to keep the 308 gears he already has installed. He is hoping for near 400 hp. I told him that with good octane boost it will live and have a lot of torque in the low to mid range for a street car but that 400hp is in dream land. More like 320-330 tops.
What are your thoughts?
Thx., Larry

PS: I suggested the Summit 2801. Maybe the 2802 with better heads to bring the power RPM up. Dump the XE268