[bobcowan]

How much is enough? Tough question, with no real answer. You need enough power to get the job done. So, first, you have to decide what the job is: Road racing, drag racing, autocross, street cruising, turning your hair white, etc.

I'm putting about 510hp to the pavement. On the street, I never use all that. But on the track I use every one of them, and I'm looking for more.

There's no such thing as too much power. Only not enough control.

Don't worry about building the engine to a certain power number. Instead, build the engine for what you're comfortable with driving./ Big nasty radical cam with a Holley Dominater carb, or a stock DD. Then let the power numbers fall where they may.