318 cam shaft selection/upgrade for stock engine

That is eventually the question that was going to come up.... why 18" of vacuum? Where does that number come from? It is pretty high....
I work for Cardone (nations largest family owned auto part reman company) and had my booster rebuilt by my company. The Manager of the custom rebuild department told me the small diameter boosters need 18-20 of vacuum to work properly. My old 273 could barely muster 15-16 and the assist was marginal.