Tuning with jets, Power valves and an O2 guage

C300 said

I'm building a stroker.got it from Hughes Engines. They said that even with aluminum heads, the gas in the northwest is so bad that they recommended 10.0 not 10.5 compression. Have Az. Cell #. When they saw my shipping address they told me lots people were having issues running pump gas. That said, usually a bigger can helps lower cylinder pressure...

Click to expand...

Hughes is telling the truth. If I had the engine out and apart, I'd build it to a 9.5 to 10 ratio to have some wiggle room. I've read that ignition timing is worth more HP than compression is.
Regarding the "bigger cam" method, I am starting to think that it would be much better to build the engine to the right compression ratio, THEN choose a cam that is appropriate for the driving style. I have very little interest in drag racing this car. I've been on 3 1000 mile road trips since Spring 2011 and I want to do more. What happens if I get a sorry tank of fuel in the middle of nowhere? A tempermental high compression engine isn't any fun, I've learned that firsthand.
The cam I have now isn't much different than the one it replaced. If I went more radical, this theory may have worked. If I took it too far, the tradeoff would have been soggy low rpm performance and crappy street manners. I'm glad it didn't go that way.