The old saying "rich is safe" is total bullcrap!! being extra rich can actually be worse than being extra lean. If you read todays jetting the pros prefer little on the lean side and pull more timing.

Hopefully Monte Smith will chime in and explain this better than I can. But I use to be one of those "fat is safe and more timing means more power" dummies also.

2000 Dakota R/T, 408 magnum, 727, Indy heads
1000cfm 4150 carb, 93 octane fuel.
motor; 10.258 @ 132.78
200 shot; 9.262 @ 144.69
racemagnum