Getting the most out of a low comp 440

Well...it's first a daily driver (87 octane, willing to adjust timing to usage and fuel)...then a cruiser/hotrodder. May or may not ever make it to the drag strip...2 hours away over the mountains, a trip I'd like it to be able to take. Want to be able to jump in and go about anywhere.

I say "truck" and "towing" very lightly. I have diesels at work I can use for any real towing, and at 4k#, it's really more of a heavy car, no?

At the moment, I'm planning to run the stock pistons at maybe 8.5-9, maybe even just leave it at what it probably is, 7.5. I can play with compression with the big mill at work and head gasket thickness. I don't have access to, or want to spend the coin on boring the block, and buying pistons. I'm not broke, but I have a budget...

Might be able to do bigger valves and plunge cut the 452 heads.

I think the last piece of the puzzle I need to figure out is RPM/torque range = cam selection.

Is there a detonation resistance inherent to forged vs. cast pistons?

Much obliged, I enjoy learning about it, and hopefully all the learning will produce a good all-around engine.