Fix my W2s or go with RHS heads?
Just a few thoughts/observations/2 cents: 1) TTI 1 7/8" headers are straight. Their stepped version is 1 5/8"-1 3/4" step. The stepped headers "might" be holding you back a little, but they are pretty versatile and will help with bottom end & midrange.
I could be wrong about the headers, I may have the wrong nomenclature. I looked on the TTI site, I can measure the collector diameter to determine which ones I have. The larger diameter have 3.5" collectors as opposed to 3". Looks like I may have the 1 7/8 version based on their pic but who knows if its accurate.
2) A good quality looser converter would help. But you may need to work on the suspension to handle it.
I agree with that. If I built the car, I would have probably got a custom converter.
3) Double check the shocks up front. Rancho shocks, if any fit, should not be used up front. But their old 5 or new 9 way are good for the back. Cal-Trac has their own versions now.
Again, incorrect nomenclature. I have the Calvert 90/10 shocks up front. Measured with a floor jack under the k frame, I have almost 5" of travel from rest to full rise.
4) The Edelbrock Victor has a larger plenum than othe intakes, such as the Holley Strip Dominator. I normally ran the Holley. If you have or will use a spacer, stick with a 4-hole or tapered 4-hole.
i thought about a spacer but I don't think it would fit under my flat hood. I could run sans air cleaner but I'd rather not. Might see if I can get one under there.
5) A little more gear may help. Trap RPM should be a bit over optimum shift RPM. But I wouldn't be concerned about shifting much over 6,800.
Funny, I took the 4.30:1 gears out that were in the car. I had built an aluminum center 4.10 gear several years ago for another project that I wanted to use. I noticed a difference on take off but nothing dramatic, it's only a small percentage change.
6) Check valve spring pressures. 140+ seat/340+ open. Others may offer their own suggestions.
I was planning to do that. I don't have a spring tester, guess I might need to look into one. Any Rimac is going to be over $400. have you ever used the Proform ones you stick in a vise?
7) Make sure you have enough fuel pressure & volume. Personally I never cared for a mechanical pump on drag car.
That Carter strip pump actually needs a regulator. When I first got the car, the fuel pressure was way high, like 12 psi, it was super rich. According to the little gauge on the carb inlet line, its at 7 psi now. !/2" pickup in the tank, 3/8 line (I know, it is what it is).
Experiment with pump cams & squirters for better 60' times. Jet for MPH. It might be easier to remove the power valve and jet square. Experiment from there. 86 seems rich, but I don't know what the Proform recommendations are. 4779 Holleys are like 72/81 with a power valve. (I'd have to look it up.)
I need to get different squirters, I think the 37s I have in there are too big, maybe 33s. Initially it had the pink cam but I went to the red cam. The pink was like 'right now' then flat, the red seemed a little smoother but I was getting the lean spike with the red. I have an A/F gauge with a data recorder and it showed a lean spike before I'd shift, like almost 20:1 but only for a second. Then it shifts and goes back down. Cruise is pretty good between 12.5-14.7 depending on throttle position. 53 MPH seems like the sweet spot - 3,000 rpm almost perfect A/F at 14.5. A higher number power valve made it surge while cruising. OOTB, the carb had 74/84 jets, a 6.5 P.V. and 31 squirters.
Something, or things, are holding you back so you need to stay conservative and double-check what you have, mainly in the engine. Can't take for granted that everything was correct when you got it.
I agree with the last statement 100%. There was a lot of stuff that seemed cobbled together. Like the fuel pressure, I mean there was a gauge for it and it was way high. Not sure what the P.O. was doing but I thought maybe he had taken off some 'better' parts before he sold it to me and never bothered to recalibrate. It's all good though, I am grateful for the knowledge that results from wading though this stuff.