Just to review-
My 526 has ported TF and 337 intake, 260/266 @ 50 cam, 2" headers through a 3" exhaust.I have 3.54s and a 4 speed.

My first time out at 4200 lbs and 28" tires it was almost dead hooking, and bogging the engine.
My 60 was 1.79 and 11.71.

Since talking to some guys on here I did the following

Advanced the 108 ICL cam, it's now in at 101.

Opened the lash to .020

Went to FBO box

Installed jet extensions

Installed a fuel pressure gauge- it was losing fuel pressure, top of 3rd gear was almost 1 psi, even though it didn't seems to nose over

Got some 26" bias ply slicks, huge improvement in SLR and grip

Went to a Carter hemi type FP, it works good when it works, which is about half the time, it just loses pressure off idle or driving normal.

I ordered a FG hood with a Hemi scoop from Sled city, not sure when it will be done, but that will cut about 100 lbs. I would like to try a carb spacer

One thing I noticed, the low end improved dramatically with the cam advance.

I used a larger wheel than originally, the cam was actually installed at 105. I was hesitant to go another 4, but boy was it a good move.

My cranking compression jumped from 175 to 185, engine used to buck at low throttle just cruising around anything under 2000, now 1800 is no problem.

Full throttle it still pulls hard to 7k.

The time slips will tell, but there will be improvement, it pulls harder than before.

Thank you all you guys for your help. Every bit of advise given made the car just a little bit faster.

If you are running with the exhaust hooked up, it might be strangling the motor. I would get a pair of 18 inch extensions for the headers and try running open exhaust. The extensions alone on an open pair of headers were worth a tenth plus on a couple of my cars.

11.50 should be your goal! Any faster than that will require belts & bar

I might try opening up the headers.
My wide band is back about 18 inches in the exhaust so I was wanting to see what the AFR was, but I'm happy with that.

It was annoying not to hear your own car, when the guy in the next lane is running open, which is most everybody.

Your in control of your car on the starting line, don't leave on the last light Give the other side 3 to 8 second head start so you can hear your own car Don't leave until you want to

YES 4.1 gears and a Dominator carb

Or one time at 10.99 would be cool too!!

I know, just not in the budget this year

Very interesting thread. I'm going to have to watch this one. I have less cubes, less weight, less cam, but a 4-speed and a 3.54 gear. I was going to put a 30" tall tire on it, but this is making me think twice. Unless I go to a 4.10 or a 4.30. I think I can live with the RPM at 75 MPH with either gear and the tall tire.
Good luck. I hope you can hit your goal. If you have one.

Seems like guys are all the time finding out a gear change doesn’t do a thing. Small changes in et that could even be weather related. Same thing with cross overs in the exhaust or lack thereof.

You've made a bunch of changes, but the fuel pressure is what was hurting you. What was your mph?, 118-ish?

The opening of the lash is probably what cleaned up the low rpm more than anything. You probably took 8° to 10° out of the overlap seat timing. Don't be afraid to go to 0.024" on the lash for a trial. It might not lose anything at the track, but will sharpen the motor up even more down low on the street.

I think it'll go 10s at 125 out the back door. You might want to go back to the taller tire when its all sauce and done.

Good luck.