I refreshed my 454 and tomorrow it goes to the track for a debut. 150 miles on the break in and good to go. Now the question: motor builder say's let 'er rip !
Questions for those with previous experience. Where do you set the RPM limits first few times out. I will use a 5500 pill in the MSD and I hope to get top end improvements over the old motor . Previous best was 14.4 @ 101 MPH. Car is around 4000 lbs

Build up with new parts was :forged GM crank, new milodon pan and oil pump.Line bore the block and install ARP bolts. The rod bolts are ARP{ resized the dia.} comp cam is XE274 with magnum roller tips and also new edelbrock alum heads. Running a M22 with 3.42 Auburn rear. Holley intake with 750 dbl pumper. Other bits are new, rods, timing chain, balancer etc. Running 2 inch heddman through collectors into 3 in exhaust. Street radials .
My first time putting this much into a new motor, I'm excited so I dont want to loose it day 1.

Typically, you'll get better times by shifting a few hundred rpm past your power peak. Even though the rate of accelleration drops off past peak, doing so results in you starting out at a higher rpm in the next gear. The only way to know for sure what shift point is best is trial and error (and optimum points may not be the same for every gear). I'm thinking the 6k pill might be a better choice with the 274.

RPM is a comfort issue. Best bet is to start on the low side and rasie the level slowly to see if it picks up. My guess is your best results will have you shifting at 6000+. When the shop I go to dynos an engine they run it for 30 minutes and then start the pulls. He turned my 533 7200rpm on the dyno. If an engine has the parts to turn a certain rpm it doesn't need alot of breakin before running it hard. I would take it easy for maybe a run or two (if you haven't run it hard yet). Then IMO it should be good to go. From your previous runs my guess is you had some traction issues. With those heads and cam you could be making some pretty serious hp, with traction I think you should go deep into the 12s maybe better.

I would put in a 6000 rpm chip and shift @ 5500
Then try raising the shift point another 2-300 rpm and see what happens..if it slows down,try 5200,but chances are since its a stick it will like 5500+

thanks guys for the input. I'll take your advise and see where we end up.
Traction has been an issue, but I want to keep running street radials, for the old school look, anything sticky will probably wipe out the old M22 (stock).