The majority of my builds peak well under 6000, run 91 or less octane, have power brakes and absolutely pure street, in traffic, drive anywhere FEs, so I generally build where you are talking, and yes I am pre-internet too. However a ton has changed since I started, both parts and process
We don't have to agree, but cam timing, not just centerline but all events and effects, as well as proper matching induction and exhaust parts, make much more difference than stroke or rod length, by a wide margin. Not just on a dyno, off idle as well, and why you'll see such a focus on overlap by guys like Brent and I nowadays.
I used to have a chart I built on the rate of volume change in a cylinder, based on rod length, stroke and bore. My idea was to find enlightenment on combinations based on the most rapid changes in cylinder fill for torque.
It worked so well, I don't even know where I saved it
That being said, I am more happy when guys think about where they want their power, regardless how they get there. For me, I spend more time finding out what the customer wants, which they don't always know at first, so kudos on you for not being a power only guy, although I would say, that sometimes being a little softer at shift recovefry can be a little helpful in a handful of hot rod.