i can't really intelligently comment on how much HP IT takes to pick up a tenth ( too many varibles here)..just like they say 100lbs equals 1/10..well yeah in a sence..your stuff has to be working 1st..but i feel the 1/8 miles has to do more with the TQ your making and when your making it ..such as shift points etc..George is proving this now by playing with his shorter shift points....
i run a 511ci...300lbs w/driver and wet ..500 gear...i have a LOT better head then you and i run a sucky intake ( team "g'") ( SOON TO BE CHANGED TO A 454-R)..
my 1st time out on foot brake i ran a 6.07 et with a 1.39 60 ft @115 mph..now remember this was my 1st time out ..getting bugs out, leaving soft ( anticpating everyting :shock: )....
i am going back tommorrow...now have a tranny break with 2 step hooked up......and i am looking for some mid-5.90's.....i have not got my 454r on the engine yet...but i am shooting for 5.85.or something around there with the 454-r intake....but let me get into the 5.90's 1st..lol
i am going to a track tommorrow i haven't been to with this car..i hear the track has not been good lately..so we shall see...
but to answer your question i feel 100% with a good set of out of the box or custom port head with the 454-r..you will go into the 5's..i say this because you and i are very close with our ci and body weight etc....
i will also say based on who i have been around and know in this game..i would not be afraid to say that a good set of worked heads with the 454r port matched intake will make an extra 100hp if not more......
something NO-ONE has mentioned..how much more TQ will this make ?
Curtis Boggs told me personally that his port work on the 454r..( base and gasket match) will allow for 20 to 30 more hp ( give or take) than just bolting it on out of box..
if you go to ALCOHOL in the summer or whenever..there is another 50 to 70 FT lbs of TQ just by turning to alcohol..( its a TQ MONSTER FUEL)..i am not running it but i have been studying the heck out of it and asking the right people the right questions..just as you are doing now...
as for the cam shaft...i run a lunati 722/722 with a 112 lobe seperation...very nice camshaft...if your interested i can try to scan the cam card and post it...
i think your headed right into the 5's my man !..
Brian