Stock DZ302 ideal performance....

[aaronz28]

Pretty sure I have the car running to optimal performance

You cam literally feel a solid kick in the pants at/around 5000/5200 rpm on up.
Starts pulling at about 3k but really wakes up at 5k
This through stock manifolds

Is this just he secondaries finally opening all the up or just where the 30-30 cam finally wakes up?

[JohnF]

That's about right.  Mine starts to pull fairly hard around 4500 rpm.
                              John

[Kelley W King]

I think the cam is part of it. But big valves, big carb, ect. means low air velocity and torque. An engine is like a vacuum pump and the 302 needs RPM to pull air. Standard rear was 373 but they really like 410,s.

[68camaroz28]

I think the cam is part of it. But big valves, big carb, ect. means low air velocity and torque. An engine is like a vacuum pump and the 302 needs RPM to pull air. Standard rear was 373 but they really like 410,s.

Agree 100%! Another issue is the lack of torque which adds to that sluggish feeling at low rpm's. 

[Kelley W King]

Torque is a big thing on the street. I was at a seminar on big block heads and a guy asked "why did GM even make the peanut port  head for a big block? " Because small ports make torque, but they do not at high RPM.

[69Z28-RS]

Low Rpm Torque  vs  High Rpm Power    drive the engine designer in two virtually opposite directions in regards to parts/specification selections.