The 1969 Z/28

[Budnicks]

Must disagree. That 302 would go 7k all day. Had a friend - RIP John - that worked at a dealer in Wichita and got one of the few 67s new. Couldn't make it go. Got frustrated and called Chevrolet; talked to Vince Piggins himself. When queried about preparation and driving style, Mr Piggins told John that he couldn't drive it like his 55. Told him to wind it up to 7 and let it loose and see what happens. Even personally stated that warranty would apply if something went wrong! John did as he was instructed and it was whole new world...
You're right about no low end torque tho; those 302s preferred RPMs!

yep
condition of the valve springs is the culprit if it can't (or a crap cam/or worn out)
they (dz302) were/are high revving engines, short stroke, 11:1 comp. (stock)
the need to be up in RPMs, to work right, short 3.00" stroke, 4.00" bore
forged lower end crank/after late 68 were full floating/wristpin design, forged pistons & rods
2.02"int/1.62"ex big valve early-ish SBC, Duntov 30/30 cam, 0.452"in/0.455"ex
peak power at like 6,200 will go above that easily, you need to shift at 6,700 to stay in the power
(like I said before an easy bolt on over the counter longslot 1.6:1 rocker
& a set of long tube headers really wakes them up, they need to breath)
the OE cast iron manifolds & the crossover exhaust is/are really restrictive
if it can't rev, like some claim
probably had the wrong parts or mismatched parts, or even poorly tuned
&
IMHFO it's not the norm, for a dz302 4 speed 3.73:1 gears, no it's not a 12 sec. @ 110 1/4 car
but can run respectable higher-13 secs @ mid-hi 90s mph in stock form,
with headers & some simple strip tuning, "with a decent driver"...
Yeah; it won't MPH big, it's not a huge HP engine, it's a hi-winding SB
& yeah 4.56:1-4.88:1 will make it wake up, because it'll like the RPM,
but worthless for freeway 75mph driving, on long trips, in today life,
yeah you can do it, but it won't be real comfy, put a taller/wider tire, it will help
a 4.10:1 gear with a 28" tall tire 275/60+ is great, I did it a lot on D/Ds...

you can see it in the garage,
my org. color Cortez Silver & Black striped
1967 z28/RS optioned org. 302ci (under rated at 290hp),
Muncie 4 speed & 4.10:1 (4.11:1 actually) 12 bolt 'posi', multi leaf,
disc brake Rally's in 15", a good OE sway bar 13/16" upfront, sitting a lil' lower than stock,
cut the coils & it handled great, OE front discs, good Gabriel Gas shocks,
I also added an OE style 5/8" (?) rear sway-bar & links
(you could get/order them both/front & rears optional, IIRC dealer installed usually)
I also added front chin spoiler & 2" duck tail rear spoiler & the functioning cowl hood,
& carb pan under it, for real ram air, that I liked...