I can't say for sure about power down low. But, I can tell you they positively allow for better idle and lower-rpm driveability. I swapped out a set in my old Chevy V8 and the difference was marked. Vacuum increased, I could set a lower idle, it did not stall as easily. They worked great!

The only reason I would not use them now is being afraid of how they would affect the knock sensors.

 

Rhoads Lifters show there stuff when the cam is too big for the combination. Years back, a friend of mine installed a 250/260 from a 224/224 on his SBC. Result was very poor power down low on the street plus he had to idle up around 1500RPM just to keep it running. When he installed the Rhodes Lifters the car sounded like the smaller 224/224 and had much quicker throttle response. He was able to idle back to 800RPM which allowed him to keep his stock torque converter. He said the car had the same top end but much better all around torque. I could here the lifters at idle but not while on the road.

I thought about these for my low compression Turbo build for better low rpm throttle response. I bet they would make my XER281HR sound stock.

Frank

 

My timing problem turned out to be a bad knock sensor. I wasnt getting a code, but the car kept running the low octane table and then began pulling an additional 4 deg @ WOT. Eventually, the sensor code was set and I replaced both sensors and now, no problems with pulling timing.

 

It's really irritating that the lifters are so hard to change in these cars. I would give a try but heck,,,,, it's easier and roughly the same price to just swap out cams.