[Verdoro 68]

I've been noodling on my current engine for a little over a year. It's running pretty well, but I just can't seem to get the power out of it that I think it should have.

For instance, from an under 20mph roll if I punch it, it will downshift and the tires will squeal but it won't break loose like I would expect. Punching it around 45mph on the freeway on ramp downshifts to 2nd, but it feels more like a station wagon than a performance car.

My setup:
68 400/#16 heads
Dished pistons for lowered compression. The builder never told me what the compression was, I assume it's around 9-9.5:1.
Crower 60916 cam, matched lifters and springs. The shop degreed the cam on install.
Stock rockers
Ram Air Manifolds
13" Continental Stall
3.55 Posi

'68 Q-Jet rebuilt to Cliff's #1 recipe. I'm running 42 rods and 74 jets in the primaries based on Cliff's recommendations. The secondary rods are CE, but the ends have been turned down.

'68 Distributor recurved by SunTuned running a Pertronix. 12 degrees initial, 36 degrees total. I've tried 9-12 degrees initial and 12 gives me better throttle response. I haven't heard any pinging. I'm running ported vacuum off the thermostatic switch on the manifold. I've verified that it's working.

I think this combo should run like a scalded ape, so what am I missing?