[Cliff R]

Wasn't talking about NHRA SA, the engine in question was going to be raced in factory Stock.

I'm well aware of what goes into "max effort" SA race engines as I build carbs (or used to) for them.

As far as cranking pressure from what I've seen here it's pretty much meaningless in the big scheme of things. My own engines have ranged from 150 psi to 200 and ALL of them made good vacuum at idle speed and excellent street manners.

What is HUGE in this deal is how much initial timing is required to get decent vacuum or the engine to even want to try to idle. Basic rule of thumb here is about 10-14 degrees. IF you aren't making at least 10" vacuum (hopefully more like 12-15") without running the timing clear off the scale at idle speed your engine isn't overly happy with the cam choice. I'm talking street engines here, not full race stuff.

At that point out come all the "crutch" fixes we get to read page after page of on here, my Forum, and just about every other Forum out there related to this hobby, when none of that would have been needed if the engine builder knew how to pick cams for the CID and compression ratio of these engines in the first place.........FWIW......