[Ant]

Why dont more people look at the 331 smallblock with alloy heads and waterpump, several reasons:

PROS:
Run more compression due to overlap etc with higher rev camshaft, but still on pump gas.
Get 450 - 485bhp - which is similar to the bigger strokers.
Better handling for road racing, and driveability on the street.
Sound great like a GT40.
Easier on bottom ends.
Dont need a five speed heavy road style transmission with a semi-useless first gear, and an overdrive, just rev it out to 7000 in top (3.27 ratio on 26.5 tires), and have a usuable four speed like:2.60,1.72, 1.28,1.00 Jerico, weight 65Ibs or an alloy Toploader.
Less drivetrain issues


CONS:
If running over 7000rpm a lot rocker gear becomes a problem.
Less grunt down low for drag racing or street.
Expense for a decent block (Dart etc) and Rocker/Valve gear.

Still like the idea of a 393 for the grunt, but I reckon hearing the small blocks at the race track does it for me!