Crate 402 red line?

Think you have too much gear to run it in the 1/4.
those heads are good, had them on a trick stock stroke 318 that went 11.60’s at 3400 pounds. Similar cam, bit more compression, I ran it 6200 or so rpm.
70 duster will fit a 28 tire, have had one on several of them, not cut or minitubbed.
I would go that way instead of changing the gears.
once sorted, should easily dip into the 11’s without breaking a sweat