[Dimis]

Kevin, if I may, I get the impression that with your sprint car background you are more comfortable than most with a "loose" rear... One that slips and slides a little under throttle.

I also get the impression that you are after the biggest baddest engine money can buy, which is why you've raised the topic of a stroked 385 series.

Make no mistake, the 385 is the nastier engine, and could probably produce more bang for buck than an equivalent FE if all was equally.

But from what I'm lead to believe, in your case it's not equal. Is that correct?
If I understand it right, your car is already to go with an FE (ie headers, engine mounts, bell housing, other ancillary parts).

If so salvage what you can out of your current FE, and have a 390 (445) or 428 built with some ported pieces and marginally larger than normal cam.

This will ensure you have the "correct" looking engine, with the cheapest buy in price, that will have more than enough power to scare the sh!t out of you if you mashed the pedal down for more than 2 full seconds.

At least that's what my logic is telling me to do in your shoes. It's WINS all round.
Either way fun and exciting times ahead for you.

Good luck man!