[W. MITTY]

I've got a Kirkham 427 on order, and its time to make some final decisons about the engine. I have decided on a Shelby aluminum block, but that's about it. I was hopeing to get a little sage advice from the community about particulars, i.e., heads, intake, carb(s), valvetrain, crank, stroke, bore, etc. Here are my priorities, in order of importance:

1) The engine has to be bulletproof. I plan to use the car for extended road trips. Just like the guys ride Harleys to Sturgis, I want to drive from sea to shining sea, and to all points in between. It's got to start everytime I turn the key. This is by far the most important thing to me, even if I have to sacrifice a bit of horsepower to get it.

2. The engine as to be a blast to drive on the street, but it also has to stay alive in stop and go traffic in the swelter of Arizona heat. I want as much tire smoking torque/horsepower as I can reasonably obtain WITHOUT sacrificing priority #1.

3. I'm looking for a great price/function ratio. I couldn't care less about wow factor parts that don't provide bang for the buck.

4. My budget is $15-18k, but less would be nice.

Any thoughts about a builder who could accomplish this feat?