Pat-the pistons are the ones for me.Given the numbers,and I know you said go 10 down,I think 9.4@ 0 deck is where to go.I don't think I would ever be at w.o.t. while towing anyways and considering the gas price difference of the cheapest to the best pump gas I can buy,I don't mind spending more for the best.
I was thinking of the Edelbrock Air Gap manifold to use with a adapter for a TBI.Some of the 355 V8 Astro guys have used them and say they like them alot.This engine came from a running V8 Astro that I used as a donor.On it was a TBI with 65lb cop car injectors lifted on a stock manifold.The exhaust was already done as well.It is truck cast irons the go to a crossover to a converter to a flowmaster 40 with dual outlets.I am not thrilled with a flowmaster at all and am looking to do something different with that.The Astro's space wise really only allow for shorties headers.I have seen guys use full length ones but by the time they get them in binging them up to get them to fit,it is kind of what's the sense of it because they are that bashed in.For yrs we attended a auction buying parts to sell that was mainly based on circle track stuff.There was cast iron headers I saw go threw there of a class that limited them to the cast iron headers.What they did was there is a abrasive thick gel a company force threw the cast headers to open them up alittle and help them flow better.Like of cheating that everyone knew about,but was a accepted mod.I don't remember the name of that company anymore,but I can contact the guy who runs the auction to get it.I justify using that by saying when you think of all the burn outs,rust outs,and at times warped flanges that leak and as I said,hard to fit headers-I think a slightly ported cast header is what I want to use.
Any thoughts about using a 454 four barrel 950 cfm TBI??.Too big for this?.A mis-match given what we talked about with a intake runner size,manifold,cast headers??.LOL-yeah,I'm not much different than anyone else.I got a voice on one shoulder that is the hot rodder and one the other smart builder for the intended use.I have always respected the heck out of guys that have a car that idles like a kitten and runs like a ape.
I do really like the tq numbers a whole alot.That surely will help move a 4,000lb van in third gear with 3.70's and a 29" tire towing a trailer that is about 2900lbs loaded.
Thanks Pat.
Richard-going to take down this computer late Monday morning to transfer the data to a replacement.I sure have the replacement computer by Weds.
Ttyl.
Wooooooo-new computer I can again post pictures.Might want to cook up some popcorn.I got tons to post.