I don't think pump gas "hamstrings" a motor. I built mine specifically to run on pump gas so I didn't have to pay 7+ dollars per gallon for race fuel, and it makes PLENTY of power (530-540hp). Its all about getting a good combination of parts together. In the not so distant future I plan on taking my car from the high to mid 10's, to the low 10's with a cam and carb and cam swap (still on pump gas, probably in the 580hp+ range). You can run fast on pump gas with the right combination. If you had 1 point less compression you could run full timing and pump gas too...but with 11.8:1 and a relatively small cam, you should switch to E85 to fix your "hamstring".