Considering the cam has such critical importance to the engines performance and life, to me it makes sense to use a cam grinder who will talk with you directly- even modify the cam grind to fit your needs even better and to address the possibility of cam lobe failure with the new oils. When it comes to making an engine breathe, there are so many variables including elevation, humidity, fuel blends/available octane, most cam mfgs will vary a "core grind pattern" to match the external impactors in addition to the internal impactors- which today IMHO makes the different between and engine that runs well, to one that just seems to run a little bit better, smoother and gets better mileage than expected.
With regards to price...the difference is nil- especially considering its cheap insurance to know exactly who is machining such a critical part for your engine. And remember, advertized lift/duration/lobe separation is just that- advertized and not the specific grind including ramp profile that is used on the cam.
I highly recommend Iskenderian (who I personally know to this day physically tests/inspects every single valve spring before it leaves the shop) & Crower & Chet Herbert & Lunati...all are family owned, been grinding cams for decades, and both will even re-grind your oem cam if possible- saving you even more $.
There are many options you have to achieving what you desire.....especially with hydraulic lifters....
as an example....you can run bleed-down type lifters (Crower or Rhodes) that will allow a much higher lift & more radical duration cam yet at idle it will maintain a smoother idle because of the lifter design (to bleeb out oil reducing the final lift).
In general, without bleed downs.....290 duration & just shy of 600 lift (like 590) will give you a little/moderate lope....with the bleeddowns you push that up....
