408 Stroker
As far as compression ratio that should be based around the camshaft choice and when the intake valve closes. I would try to optimize your cylinder pressure. This will help you keep a lot of your bottom end even with a healthy cam. I would certainly also zero deck the block.
You can find good articles on this by David Vizard. I would shoot for 190psi on 92 octane.
I used the wallace racing calculator to come up with my numbers
So for my engine at 11.2 compression with a 0 deck and .039 gasket and -13cc pistons and the 60cc TF 190 with my elevation and cam closing at 65 ABDC that calculated out to right at 190 PSI. When we checked my cylinder pressure after the engine was built they are all in the mid 190 area.
Also try to match the dish piston up or whatever your doing so you do have a quench area that is fairly tight like at most .040 area. This will help get a better combustion and have less chance of detonation. I have not noticed any issues with mine.
I think one of the big reasons a single plane engine may show such lazy bottom end is partly because the cylinder pressure was not optimized for the cam and a duel plane likely help mask that.
You could certainly run a duel plane and it would of course have a ton of torque in lower rpm range. However you would be choking down the flow of the 190 heads. I guess a person has to experience it to really believe it but you will definitely not lack for torque with a 4 inch crank. it will be a broad torque curve especially with well matched components and a good torque converter.
Wallace Racing: Dynamic Compression Ratio Calculator
Wallace Racing: Dynamic Compression Ratio Calculator
Also there is a good episode of Engine Masters where they did a DP VS Single plane test. The cam was not that big it was in the mid 230@050 if I remember right. They figured the RPM would destroy the single plane. The single plane won hands down. They figured one of the reasons was that he head they were using was a real nice head.
I'm still here and paying attention. Every one has at least one valid point. Now, I'm leaning towards the TF SP and my brand new 2009 Quick Fuel 750 mechanical secondary.Any thoughts on decking the block and CR? Thanks, Paul.