More cam questions

The only thing DD is good for is noting trends. I don't think a set of stock J heads will make 450hp with either cam. Better heads, possibly. But not factory stock ones. If you want high 12s, you need to make around 400 hp at the crank. The XE268 should be close, but IMO may come out a hair shy. And, the idle will be fairly smooth. I would probably go with the XE274H, or perhaps the Magnum line's 280H for an old school sound with really good power. I've made over 400hp with the Magnum 270H with decent heads before. As far as the lope, the whole package makes the sound. A large cam, with matched parts, will lope. A small cam, with the wrong intake or installed on the wrong centerline will lope. For me, idle sound means nothing when I'm choosing a cam. Power band, vaccum, and idle quality are big. Making the idle worse for sound is equal to running drag slicks in the rain. Sure you can do it...but why would you want to...lol