[BlueRooster]

If you go the SPF route, by the look of your post I would go with the small block. It is much easier to work on. My 460 is a big block and it is shoehorned in(not easy to work on) and it sounds like you dont want to work on it much. You can make a small block as fast as you want, and they are fairly reliable. If you race, I believe the concensus on this board would be small block. My big block is a bull in a china shop, and I will eat anything alive in a straight line. I will find out soon what it will do on a track and I am sure that I will find plenty of miatas that will put me to shame arond the sharp turns. Which would bring you to cost. A superformance works well with a small block. I dont think having an FE(side oiler) is going to make the price that much higher on resale. The only thing that will happen is you will pay triple to have one built, and you will take a bigger hit on resale.

BTW, this is all my opinion. Dont get me wrong, I love my BB 460. I wouldnt trade it for anything, and if I buy another it will be a 460...no doubt. Its a perfect motor for me. Strong, reliable, and the sound is nothing short of amazing. If you want to talk about it send me a PM.

Dane