Big block or small block you want to keep a few things in mind when choosing a displacement/stroke cam/intake/headers.
The question you want to ask yourself is where are you going to be spending the MOST time, at what RPM, in what activity?
Shorter stoke = higher rpm power potential.
longer stroke= lower rpm power potential
diff gear ratio plays a huge part in what rpm range the engine will be running at in EACH gear. 5.86 vs 3.73 ect
typically an engine used for off road will have a long stoke motor with a Low geared rear end ie 5.86
a DD with some umph will have a long stroke with a high rear end ie 3.73
and finally TYPICALY mud slinger drag racer or pure race set up will have a short stroke and mid gear 4:10
-BUT This can be hazy as many racing applications my have No2 injection or other forms of boosting power; super charging, turbo charging. The cheapest and most reliable option is No2. Many will disagree. DON'T LEAN YOUR AFR!
tire size plays a roll in tq multiplication as well bigger tire more tq response from rear gear. lower top speed.
Do you want a crawler, DD, or mud sprayer?
You have to choose one if you want the most performance.
Do some reading about intake and port theory, combustion chamber size compression ratio ect. this help you understand what you may want.
Just throwing a bunch of huge parts on an engine will not make power. Huge parts require large displacements with high combustion ratios.
If you want a great DD i would suggest 4 bolt two p rms SBC, mid CR heads (9.5:1) some nice piston rings, ARP head studs, mid rise single plane intake, 650carb, long tube headers, mid truck cam 265ish dur. and 4:11 diff gears. 75hp shot if you wanna drop panties. If you get an addiction to panties or speed 71 series super charger.
ditch forged pistons, ditch rods or hopped up valves, forget special machining. unless you want more than 500hp in any block.
