Thanks for the feedback guys. On reflection I think I was expecting a bit much from this. Maybe the best testament to the combo is it never feels like it's in a "big" car. I guess I've been driving trucks and other heavy vehicles so long, I don't even think of the Merc as being "big". Anyway, light throttle, cruise, rolling throttle, WOT...it never feels like it's hooked to a 4400lb combo. 2000rpm in O/D, it pulls great, and now with the new combo it feels pretty good over 4500 where it used to flatten out. Will get it on dyno and try to get it to the track to quantify things.
Lol, already there, Ross. I have a 428 block I bought from Jay, Blue Thunder 2x4, carbs on the way from Drew, and picked up some Mahle pistons for a 4.16 x 4.25 stroker I found at Carlisle for $150....all plans are in place to put a pretty nice 462" together. Deciding if I want to run a set of Medium Risers I have on the shelf (after port work) or go with a set of TFS.