Good info fermanator very good info but still comes down to what kind of power he is looking for i know you can get over 500hp no problem on stock sticks and imo i think safe. not safe for the push rods but safe on the injector side. but yes your right if he is looking for 600 plus he has a little more spending to do. could you get to 600hp with stock sticks. i think so would it be hard on things because like you said you be at every bit of 40 plus degrees timing. yes. but like the saying goes different strokes for different fokes.