A couple of other random thoughts......
-how sure are we that the CR is actually 9.5:1?
-do we know where the cam is installed?
-I didn’t see it mentioned, but if it hasn’t been done yet, I’d suggest a cranking compression test on a few cyls ....... just to put a cranking pressure number on it.
Oh...... and I’m looking forward to the results from the intake & carb swap.