Valvesprings are new comp 995's as specified for the cam.
I've tried a few things after installing the cam and the only thing that picked it up was short shifting.
I enjoy a puzzle and now I have one

and i'll eventually get to the bottom of this. I agree; this is not what I expected from this cam. Fuel system delivery problem is certainly possible as I have a marginal system in place now and have plans to redo it.