Camshaft help

Don't know why so many guys are hammering you on your dual quad idea. Here's a guy on the forum using your setup: http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=105196 Check out comment #7. Using 500 cfm carbs with straight linkage would give you two 200cfm carbs when you were cruising on primaries and an extra 600cfm when wide open. The rear counterweights wouldn't even open all the way giving you exactly what the engine needed. Hardly problematic.

Chrysler used factory inline dual quads on 383's, 361's and the one year 350. Also, there were three years of poly 318's with dual quads. None of those engines used cams with more than .430 lift and virtually no duration. Of course, they didn't have lope which is why they worked so reasonable with automatic transmissions in the family turnpike cruiser. Your choice of 500's is excellent. The only thing better would be the ultra rare Carter 400's or a matched pair of 273 carbs since they are said to be in the 435-485cfm range. Since you say you aren't building a powerhouse engine, you'll gain midrange over top end, which sounds like what you are looking for.

Your only real challenge is getting lope and vacuum. They are directly contradictory. If you can live with a mild lope, you could achieve your goals. Duration up to 230 degrees would work if you kept the lsa on the wider side. The issue is overlap. You really need at least 14-16inches of idle vacuum to be comfortable for your girlfriend to be safe in stop and go traffic. Your best bet is to get off the forum and get on the phone. A few calls or emails with your intentions to five different camgrinders would give you more insight than a thousand comments from people like me. They grind cams for a living and know the why's of what they recommend. If you must have significant lope, consider a hydraboost braking system. Here are a couple of links: http://www.hydratechbraking.com/ and http://www.thehollisterroadcompany.com/hydroboost.html You can use factory equipment if you would consider some GM pickandpull stuff.

For sound, consider a dual mode muffler which gives you muffled exhaust when driving four hours to mamma's house and open exhaust when cruising the circuit. You might even get the rumble you are looking for. Another idea is a cutout with one side muffled and the other side open with resonator for sound. I'd keep the exhaust on the muffled side smaller to keep the torque at the bottom and bigger on the cutout side for top end power. Then use matching tips out the back. Be a little unconventional, it's your rig. From your description it sounds like your girlfriend wouldn't turn over 5500rpm anyway. I don't get the impression she's a racer with this build. Good luck, but call the experts.