[bird72]

I've read all the pages in this thread last night and today. If I may humbly join this club as a bastard stepchild member... I am looking at a pile of parts, that in the next year will be put in action. Hard to believe I actually got some HO heads after being into Ponchos so many years.... and resigning myself to D port heaven..... so my 72 Formula 400 will continue the non matching number deal, but in a bit better style. I'll use the bottom end I have running now, a 4 bolt 455 (not HO).... but swap the 96 heads for the HO's.

End result:
YC 455 w 4 bolt caps I added
forged rods (undecided type, moderate cost) (have stock rods now)
HO top end
stock valve train
good springs
all balanced of course

(I also have option of leaving bottom end alone, it only has 2000 miles on it although 12 years old!)

above coupled to: 12 bolt 3.55 posi and Turbo 400

My goal is a 5200 rpm and under street motor. Low compression.

I am running a Performer RPM cam now (RA IV similar) and want to de-cam a notch for streetability and manners, and bring it down to a 1000-5200 RPM powerband with maximum torque and HP in that range, which from everything I've read here is HO's forte.

Cam suggestions?