[Chevelle SS 396 L78]

I am in the process of organizing parts for my 1967 EG Block (L78) build for a Chevelle SS. I am on the fence as to whether proceed full steam ahead with a genuine parts correct (as close as possible) L78 build, or keep it as stock as possible only "lower" the design compression so it will easily run on pump gas (93 Octane). I've talked with owners who swear their L78's run fine on 93 without detonation, and others say "don't do it!" So, I'm conflicted as to what to do. I just did a compression calculation with my assumed parts and gasket/deck thicknesses and calculated 10.8:1 SCR.

I want to build a correct cone (starting with a true 138 car Chevelle), but paint it and trim it out to match my original 1967 Chevelle SS 396 L78 car (very rare and long gone!) I've been looking for it for more years than I can remember! So, the L78 in '67 was the same engine in both the Camaro and the Chevelle.

Has anyone been successful building their engine with lower compression (say 9.0:1 and how did it run? I want to "re-live" my youth in a clone of the car I "still remember" how powerful and fast it was back in the day! If it;s going to run like a "dog" instead of a "scalded dog" due to low compression, I don't want to throw money at this project at this point in my life. But, if it will run the same or very close?...I'm all in. 4.10 Posi, Muncie M20 4-speed. I was also thinking of shooting for maybe 10.2 to 10.5 compression.

Any advice would be very much appreciated! Thanks! John