Fine Tuning a 360 Magnum with a Brawler "Double Pumper"

Couple more questions:

In terms of tuning the t-slot restrictor size/IAB, should I just continue to drive around and check the plugs and log what the plugs look like as well as what the truck feels like driving?

Also, with the choke, I heard that a lot of the "newer" engines that are higher compression than the motors say from the 70s and 80s don't need a choke because they're so "efficient" to begin with, being higher compression. I also know, especially in the case of a modern engine, that the electric choke is way too slow to open. In my case, even with the choke set to open sooner, I think its 3 ticks to the right from the center mark, it seems like it is way too much. 50 degrees outside today, and when I started it cold it starts right up and then it starts to sort of stumble, and if I do literally anything to put a load on the engine (like turning to pull out of a parking spot) it will die, but it doesn't seem like its a lean stumble die, it kind of sputters to death. If I wait awhile and start to drive slowly through the parking lot it sounds like its misfiring and has a very sooty exhaust cloud for a minute then clears up.

Should I just invest in a manual choke so I can have it closed to start and then immediately open it? I know this engine likes the high idle when cold as I'm sure most do, but it seems like the choke is causing more issues. Is the Magnum considered a "high compression" motor when it comes to carbureted applications? I know that its about 9:1 but that's not high in modern standards.