318 Cam Maybe Not

After all the threads I've read through almost seems a waste of time to go there.

Getting ready to do some engine mods after the front end gets a complete rebuild kit. Once the engine is done, I'll actually get to start enjoying the car some for the first time.
Installed a new gas tank, seals and lock ring.
Upgraded to dual master brakes.
Done many of the electrical mods. Headlight relays to come down the line.
Pulled the cluster and refurbishing that as I type.

After the front end, I have an LD4B and Edelbrock 1406 ready to go. I also pulled some 302 heads from the junkyard for $10 that need going through and valve job.

I'm just questioning whether I really need to add the expense of the cam to this and whether it'll make that big a difference.

I have the 904 column shift and original 71/4 and don't plan to upgrade as I already put in new leafs.

Car will just be for cruise nights etc. but I wouldn't mind be able to move a little bit on the street once in a while.

With your parts listed and a mild pocket port on your 302 heads and with 1.88 and 1.60 stock 360 valves and the 255DEH I recommended installed at 106 and headers, Desktop Dyno says 323 HP and 360 LB FT torque. I called compression 9:1 and that's probably close with the 302 heads.

Some say the program is pretty liberal but I think it's close. What people do not think of is, Desktop Dyno uses SAE gross HP figures and not net.

That should make for a snappy little 318.