Help with cam selection with 452 heads

With a tight converter, you are better going with less cam and short-shifting, say 5400-5600rpm and getting to high gear quicker where the torque characteristics of the motor can shine. Years of running BB MoPars and 455 Buicks have taught me this. Just because it "sounds" wicked and WILL rev to 6500 does not mean that you should outrun the band where the most torque and power is. With a stock 440, Street Hemi .474 cam and a 2200rpm stall with 3.91 gears, 5400rpm was our best shift point. It was no faster/slower at 5600 and it slowed a little at 5800 and 5200. Small ports/valves, short cam timing and a tight converter CAN be your friends.