If you are running 5.29's and 35's on a fresh rebuild, and having power problems, then something is wrong. I am running the same on a 250k mile engine (original rings, with replaced HG and rod bearings, no smoke, but uses 1 qt of oil per tank of gas), and can run 70 at half throttle. I would take another look at the engine - timing, plugs, sensors, carb... something is killing your power. The 22r should be making enough power to push you.
If you find a donor, an EFI swap could be done pretty easily to the 22r.
