It's not the HP/Torque that causes these cars to break loose and bite you - it comes down to how heavy your right foot is
Like anything else, it kinda comes down to how/where you are going to be driving the car. The most fun I have is getting out in the more rural areas and run it through the hills, dips and turns on the country roads, but I don't need 500hp to do this, (or arguably even 300hp). If I was drag racing, autocrossing or road racing I might need more..
Another way to look at it is how much do you need as opposed to how much do you want?
My buddy has a Unique FIA with a 351 and it is very streetable, (not sure if it is stroked or not), great car.
- Dan