to advance or not to advance cam???

What intake is that again? Weiand Excelerator? What design is that?
The cahnges I'd look at before the cam timing would be smaller carb.. I think a std 4510 800 would be more responsive and keep the power up top. The intake i'm on the fnece with. I would be running an M1 single plane. Not sure where what you have differs from that... Also the convertor is definately something to change. 9.5s can be lazy with the short stroke, regardless of the stall rating. The 8" is a good move there. If you have no trouble with whell spin I would not change the gear/tire package just yet. What is your trap rpm? Do you ever run the 1/4?