Budget racers quickest stock piston and head motors

I appreciate the honest post here! I was thinking I was doing pretty good last weekend Best I've ran so far but then I'm seeing there is deffinately more to be had lol.

But to answer your questions and I think a big problem is the converter. Bought it used and was supposed to be 3500 but not behind my motor I launch at 2200 max otherwise she starts pushing through the brakes. 2nd problem 4.10 gears with a 29 inch tire I'm running out of steam at about 4500 - 5000 in third gear and started dragging 2nd out to 6000 rpm before shifting.

Timing is a reman carquest distributor set at 14 initial and about 36 total. Currently have RN14YCs in it I always ran 12s before this set. Pinion angle if I remember right was 0* difference between tailshaft ujoint and rear. Open headers with the collectors bolted up. I do need to get it aligned I set toe at home with a tape and set caster at home also, all I can say about it is it goes straight and doesn't wonder. Haven't had enough track time to notice wear on front tires.

This weekend I leaned it out enough to go up one jet size and run faster so I'm thinking I'm close. The race last weekend was something different that they took your fastest qualifying pass and took off .10 from it for your dial and I lost due to reaction time on a pro tree. Stock mopar ignition all used stuff that I had laying around. Valve springs match the cam, cam was not degreed. Carb is opening all the way. Shocks up front are s10 and new this season. Rears are 30 year old factory shocks that you can see the oil running out of the seal (I said budget racers didn't I)

If you have any suggestions other than start over I'm all ears and not easily offended.