Steve:
I've a number of questions.  I came in after the movie started.  
1.  What are the short block specs.  They are not re-capped that I could see.  Clearances, piston mfg., ring pack set-up, compression ratio, piston deck height, gas ports or not?.
2.  Any reason why you used the Tti's on the Indy 2d test, instead of the (apparently welded together) Hooker 5302s [wish you could still buy 'em! the 5320s just aren't as rad.] that are on the 6-pack engine at the end of the mag?  This engine (especially in its solid roller iteration) seems stout enough to benefit from them.
3.  In the art. you say that you are charry about using as much as 377# over the nose with a flat tappet cam. For years we used a lot more than that (like Crane 99396-16 installed at 1.875) with the mopar 296degree/.557 f-t cam* and 1.6:1 rockers) with no problems - per the mfgr. recs.  Are you saying that because of the loss of ZDDP?  If using such an engine in a race (brkt, S/ST) application, a lack of ZDDP in the oil would not be a major impediment; you could get its functional equivalent elsewhere.
4.  the 2d -isn't that a super cool intake?- is described as "ported".  How do you mean; CNC'd to a 7 degree taper all the way down to the flange?, smoothed and with altered plenum to port entry and port match to the 295's max wedge port window?  extrude honed? other?
5.  that timing set is sswwee . . .(nope, I just can't say it - old school) Bitchin'! (tho that block's been line bored pretty good, yes?) Will the nylon thrust button live on the street?  Is it actually sturdier than the roller bearing versions?  Would one be wise to reinforce the timing cover where it bears?
6.  since you have built and/or seen plenty of cutting edge BBMs - wedge and hemi - at the engine masters competitions, what, if any, evidence do you have that a (cam) belt drive really saves the bearings?  One would think that as loose as most (like THAT ONE!) timing chains are, all the harmonics would be damped out, anyway.

*btw, my last cam core measured out with those duration and net lift numbers AT THE RECOMMENDED LASH!!  I checked #1 three times.  I just couldn't believe it.  Then #3, #2 and #5.  all the same.  It was over .620 at zero lash, cold on the stand.  What's up with THAT?  Did somebody mis-label the box?  If so, they etched the wrong pn into the end of the cam too. The rockers were std Crane Gold 1.6 roller rockers (though I did not check the ratio). It was supposedly a std. 0661 stick, that came from the Mopar trailer at the drags.  Weird, bordering on payo sopies!
Enlighten me, please, learned one.
DRL - HouTX