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

The article you have brought up has already been posted in the "Magazine Builds" thread.

You would also be wrong about gaining another 91 ft/lbs being "not that hard to get". J.Rob

Modifying And Testing A Dodge 360-Cube LA Small-Block On The Dyno
That's what he's talking about :) I've probably posted the video to that a couple hundred times, every
time someone wants a mild 360.