I don't fall over and slobber over the AG like everyone else. A dual plane is not the answer here. Agreed.
Like I said, I would have flowed your heads backwards and at some different pressures to see what really is happening. Who knows....the valve job may suck (I'd bet it does) and a little fluff and buff on the short turns may have done the trick. All cylinder heads flow better backwards until about .250"-.300" lift. The valve job does suck 'cuz there ain't no chamber to support the NON-existant top cut. Believe me more "fluff and buff" on the S.S. will only make things worse.
I have said it many times, and I'll say it again, just flowing at one test pressure is only what to do if you are comparing something quickly, like a mid lift number or what the head is doing at max lift, or just to compare things overall. It's just too vague at one test pressure to get a better picture of what's happening. I'm $90/hr and if you want me to spend hours flowing a port this way and that way at all different test pressures-then come on down. One look at the heads and you will have an idea of how it is going to go on the bench.
I never back cut a valve, unless there is a specific reason I want low lift flow. It induces reversion. Your valves are back cut.I agree.
I don't think you have junk. I don't even think the intake is junk. The complaint I heard was the runners are too big. On a correctly done 400 inch small block, it's hard to get the runner too big. It's hard to get the runner too big on 340 inches, so I'm not buying that. The runner isn't too big, it's just plain wrong. I could explain why I hate the bowl shape and even the chamber but screw that.
I'd call more than one cam company and MAKE them convince you why what they want is what is correct. Like I said, I called one cam company and he said my head was up my ***. But, when questioned he had a hard time convincing me. You don't have enough intake duration (or you have too much exhaust duration) and your LSA is too wide for your induction system and the mid numbers are low.The more phone calls he makes the more questions will arise because Mike is an inquisitive type. Make one phone call to a company you trust. You're assessment of the duration I agree with--the LSA however is too narrow as is. This combo NEEDS more lift , more intake duration and possibly less exhaust with respect to the intake. [/QUOTE]
God I love my Sunday mornings. J.Rob