not a 396 just a 323:(
You have no low end because the parts are mismatched. Was the blocked decked heavilly? Did you use the MP thin head gaskets? Were the heads simply milled to clean up the gasket surface or milled to lower the chamber size? Because otherwise the pistons are not at zero deck, the stock type gaskets are thick, and the head's chambers are around 62ccs.
Well infact MOPER it is zero deck because the piston (kb-167) comes right to the top flush with deck of the block and yes the heads were milled to achieve a smaller chamber size. As for the gasket its a mopar performance gasket .028 thousands compressed thickness ( tourqed to spec ). So its not a mishmash of parts thrown together I tried to replicate a few other builds out there using what I had and like I said its starts pulling nicley around 2800-3000 or so. As for the the trans im stuck with it my bank account wont let me change it so I have to make do with what I have..... And thank you for your insight it has helped me with my decisions on what to do. :-)