low compression

something about low compression... you get a slower burn which results in slower movement of the gases in and out of the chambers. Having bigger intake valves will give less power in the lower rev ranges with low compression because the outgoing charge can't scavenge as well. The trick is to get one of those Whiplash, Thumper type cams (or custom grind) made for it that build extra cylinder pressure and give good performance for low-compression engines.

EDIT: Heck I may propose the idea of a Hughes Whiplash 440 cam for my cousin's '72 Polara. Only 28,000 original miles on that baby and with a new ThermoQuad, Performer intake, HP exhaust manifolds and 2.5" TTI H-pipe system I think his engine could make good use of a cam upgrade. Anyone got specs on stock 440-4bbl. non-HP cams from 1972?