Building a 273

I did a 273 for my 65 barracuda in 2009. It had new pistons in it already when I got it. They came out to 7.8 to 1 with a fel pro gasket. I worked at a shop so I cut 40 off the heads and 45 off the block to get 8.9. I didn't have much money, but I shouldve just bought egge pistons. Better yet, I should've just put a 360 in it. It still runs great with a small solid cam and a stock 65 4 barrel intake. But it's definitely not fast. With 3.55 gears in it, it was better, but still wouldn't burn both tires. It's a nice little cruiser though, needs to be above 3k rpm for any torque.