Jay,
You'll find that my posts are all harsh! Well they come off like that anyhow.
Really, you have to wear your "thick-skin suit" when you start discussing technical matters on this board. Not because folks are going to jump down your throat, but because you don't get the facal expressions and body language through the screen. You know how it is when you start discussing tech topics with a bunch of engineers....oh boy...get a big cup of coffee! Heck I've even managed to piss off Randy a few times before.
Like I stated in my first post here, I love to see folks going down paths never taken. Engineering can be a real bore if all we do is piece together parts that we already know will work. It's like building a lego project by copying the picture on the box! Woohoo!
I have not found one source that lays everything out for CIS. Everything I know about CIS comes from several books and other resources...and from frustrating work on CIS. Heck I should quite my day job and write a book
Yep...that'll be a hot seller.
Anyhow, I like that you are chasing the hard truth...and armed with an engineering background! If you were standing here I'd hug you man!
Now, anything you build is not going to be limited like the factory was. Remember they were building cars for the general public..well, the sports car loving portion. So going to more aggressive cams may result in a car that we all like, and the car may behave in such a way that we can endure. Compromises that the fancy Long Island lawyer would hate...we'd all love! (sorry all you lawyers
... I'm not sorry about the Long Island part though
) If you are going to use new pistons, great! That may take car of one of the biggest concerns (valve contact). Now, there is considerable damping in the induction, but I've never seen anyone publish information/data on the use of aggressive cams. I would live to see where your cam project goes!
If you are building a mean street engine....some of the what you take away from a CIS' driveability is probably fine. Think of all the lumpy engines out there...if you have the time and resources...GO FOR IT! Now that I know you are going to open the engine up and do all the stuff....go wild! Then back down...changing cams ain't that difficult.
Something else that occured to me while I was typing this post...
If you want to go another step further...build a damper for the air meter plate/lever. Dampen it just enough to handle the pulses, but still allow it to move freely when it has to as more fuel is needed. That will not be as difficult as the pulsation bottle idea.