Here's what I've got:

1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible w/350
TH350 Transmission has been rebuilt and my transmission specialist says he can custom build my torque converter to whatever I want
Type "O" rear axle has 3.23 Posi installed, 26.1" to 26.5" tire height all the way around (as yet undecided)
#6 heads have been ported and fitted with 2.0"/1.65" valves and Crane Energizer 1.65 ratio aluminum roller rockers
Reconditioned race rods, Probe Pistons, head gaskets, etc. result in Compression Ration of 9.7:1
Edelbrock RPM Performer Manifold with Edelbrock Thunder Series AVS 650 cfm carburetor, electric choke
Thornton High-Performance Exhaust Manifolds
Magnaflow 2.5" dual exhaust
HEI distributor

Assuming I'm sticking with what I've got, I'm trying to decide between Comp Cams XR276HR and XR262HR (both hydraulic roller cams). I want to be able to "break the tires loose and get up 'n go". I'd prefer not to have a rough, lopey cam but don't mind a mild "muscle car" idle.

Thoughts and/or suggestions are MUCH appreciated.

 

You have ported heads, those cams don't have much lift to take advantage of that. I can grind you whatever want but no matter what put some more lift in it.

 

HittheHole, Go with Cutlassefi's recommendations. Mark is a wealth of knowledge always looking to help with any questions you have. He ground me a custom cam for my 455. I got it running and it sounds great. check out the video. I asked for the same....Roast the tires but don't shake the teeth out of my head. Lol

 

That is just WAAAAYYYY too rough of an idle for me. It would drive me crazy.

 

There is a guy selling his roller here: https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...oller-cam.html
That Lunati has more lift than the Comp Cams, and fits right between the 262 and 276.
I looked at the XR262 myself but choose the Lunati 60810 because of higher lift, 112 vs 110 LSA (still has to be put in the car though).
Only thing I don't know is how much valve lift the heads can take before the retainer hits the valve guide (has to be cut).

 

I can do anything you want, mild to wild. And depending on the combination, you can do things to make it "sound" nastier than it behaves.

 

Isn't one of the benefits of a roller that you get the best of both worlds, power and manners?

 

Hmmmm not always. Apples to apples, a roller CAN give you more Hp/tq. But you can over cam something just as easy with a roller as you can a flat tappet.
But most comparable roller profiles offer more lift without the added duration. That's where the potential increase vs drivability is, especially with a good flowing head.