What would it take to make 1.44 lbs-ft per cid ?

PRH said
Well, the description of the 408 implies low buck…….which doesn’t coincide with tons of head r&d.
(After reading the article the engine appears to have TF heads)

I’m sure plenty of time was spent on the 371 heads for the contest.

RPM heads that flow 270 will easily make 550hp+, using any easy on parts Chevy lobe SFT cam and iron 1.5 rockers.
That’s with zero velocity r&d.

You are correct again, TONS of time was spent on those heads. Every single port was flowed and worked and reflowed until I was happy with them. In the end they all flowed within 3 cfm at all lift ranges and they flowed 275-277cfm on a 4.06" bore. So much work and effort went into those. J.Rob