are we really "splitting hairs" and it really doesn't make that much difference whether is is the 206/210 Austempter or the 210/210 DLS roller cam?
EXACTLY! As a rule of thumb approx every 10 degrees duration will change the power band by 500 rpm. We're sitting here talking about 206, 208, 210, 212 and all are ground on 110 degree lobe centers. This is probably why Razor feels are motors aren't picky about the cam. This is the proof that our motors are picky, thier very picky. They like small cams ground around 110 degree centers. If our motors weren't picky we would be debating cams between 205 and 235 and then we would get all up in what lobe separation angle to grind it at. With this relatively narrow range of duration and lobe centers that our cams are ground to, the only real thing to debate is roller on no roller. The rollers have a decided advantage in reliability so the next question is wether or not a roller is worth a few extra ponies. I will list a few names of people I've talked to about a roller in a turbo Buick being worth some good HP and not just a couple:
Joe Lubrant
Harry Huskawhatever at PTE
Jack Cotton
Mike Licht
Ken Duttweiller
Dan Strezo
Those guys all say YES with out a doubt. Kenny D and Dan Strezo are probably the two top turbo Buick engine builders in the country....
The main reason and really the only reason I say the 206/210 vs the 210/210 is the 210 really likes to go to 6k. If you pick a self imposed red line of 5500 then it stands to reason that a 6k cam will be giving up a little in the lower rpms that the 206 may not. If you plan on shifting at or close to 6k then I say go 210/215 austemper. I recently ported a set of heads, intake, and headers for my buddies GN. He has the 210/215 austemper and we made one pass and went 11.29 at 19 psi, pump gas, 21 degrees timing, 63 turbo, non lock up, shifting at only 5200. Basically the car was in "tinker toy mode" and it still ran pretty good. So a cam that size will work shifting early but it won't run like it should till we raise the shift point. This car should be able to go 11.0 or 10.9 at 19 pounds no problem.
but going through the traps in 3rd gear at 112 to 114mph the rpms are again 5100-5200.
There is your problem that I was trying to warn you about. I have been there and done this. You add even a little more power and pick up just a couple mph and you are going to have to grab over drive. You pick up a good bit of mph and you're going to be grabbing OD a few hundred feet before the end of the track. A taller tire and 5500 will get you into the low 120's with out hitting OD. 6000 rpms will get you close to the 130 mark. If you go with 5500 shifts you will probably find your self never coming close to maxing out your combo. The car will mph to much if you turn the boost up and that will have you deciding wether to 1. run a higher rpm in drive 2. grab OD and stay in it 3. take a low 120 mph time slip and be happy with it.
Theres the rub. You post a mid/low 11 second time slip with ported heads and a roller cam and people will line up to tell you that you wasted you're money. I say who's car is it and who's money did you spend? Its your damn car and your damn money! You build that thing the way YOU want to. Do people get bashed for having a few grand in a fancy set of aftermarket wheels, or for having a few grand in a stereo? Put a few hundred extra into a roller cam because you like the feed back you've gotten on them and let the public execution begin. Pay attention to the build ups some of those guys are running when thier giving you the you're spending to much money speach.
Good luck with your build up man. You set that baby up the way you want and don't second guess yourself. I'm going to send you a PM so check your PM box.
Jason Loftus