Hows this for a 408 Drag Engine

MRL Performance said
Some were VERY close.

It made 596HP and 515TQ. The only thing I didnt like about this combo was the torque, and that due to the Victor Intake. We would have done better with a M1, Super Victor or Street Dominator. These were not an option as the customer has a very tight hood clearance issue and the Victor is the only thing that would fit.

Plus its a light car, around >2700# and taking a bit of bite out of the bottom end will help it hook a little better without blowing the tires off.

All in all, damn near 600HP, flat tappet, pump gas with PROCOMP heads, Im happy.

Really sounds about right for the comp and intake. what LSa are those lobes on? what ICL? When the 4" cranks(yep cast crap) came out many years ago we built 408-416's that made 565-570hp and 550ftlbs at low RPM with J heads,a little more comp but pretty weak heads and peak hp would end up around 5800-6000rpm. Made great street/strip engines and ran 10.50's in decent street A bodies. your combo in a Colt with converter/gear should run easy 9's without much work.