I gotta disagree with this but with a little * added to it. I topswapped my bonneville with 100% stock exhaust with the 3.8 pulley and it runs like a beast * HOWEVER I do have a VS cam in it so I was able to run 18* of timing without KR. I did just recently obtain some headers and once I stop being lazy and put it in I plan to go with a smaller pulley. As is the thing is WAY faster than it was before. Even if you have stock everything and have to use something like a 4in pulley you're still seeing noticeable gains.
proper cams are NEVER a waste of time. You're obviously not taking advantage of certain racing cams if you don't wind out the revs more but something like a VS or s1x cam will most certainly see gains with everything else stock. Not worthless at all.
I think your idea of worthless differs. I understand the gains might not seem worthwhile to you personally but there are gains to be had in those mods and most people would agree since there is a measurable improvement.
As for the oversized radiators I can only see this being worthwhile for very few people. Maybe if you tow stuff, properly race your car, or live in certain climates.