off idle to about 1500-2000rpms there is a ton of trq. there is more torque than you mould expect from even a high perf 283. it will almost break the tires loose from a 600rpm idle at less than 1/4 throttle(tires are bald so i don't want to blow them out), it will chirp them a little. right after 2000 rpms it still pulls pretty hard but not like i would like after seeing the bottom end. the things i'm looking at as my main suspects are 1, exhaust manifolds, there from a stock 305 and are the crappy 1 7/8" log type. second is my cam, i would think the a .422 .444 lift 204/214 duration cam is enough to give it good power to at least 4000. third is a 2"X9" open element air cleaner(is it enough?). 4th is a 305 aluminum intake. 5th is timing, i started at about 12*, it advances about 15* and then another about 15* from vacume advance(not sure it it is exactly 15* but its about 1" on a 6 1/2" balancer. the distributer is off a 78 manibu 305.

any other ideas? thx

 

You can't really "move" the trq up, other than by retarding the cam..what you need to do is go with some of your ideas...

headers..yes you need them

Intake...yes you need one

Aircleaner..no

Regarding the distributor, you're prbably seeing the mechanical advance...smog era HEI's should be about 42-45* with vacuum and mechanical advance..added on to 12 degrees of initial, once higher rpms (maybe 2500 or so) and high vacuum is happening.

To get an accurate "curve" of your timing, you must understand that at WOT (min-nothing vacuum), you have NO vacuum advance...what you have is initial and mechanical working.