For my two bits, if it was mine, I'd build the biggest engine I could and then call it a 396 [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] A long (and I mean a <span style="text-decoration: underline">long</span>) time ago, the late Ralph Truppi told me there was considerable power gain in something like a 4.250-inch bore big block, going from 0.030-over to 0.060-inch over. The big reason I believe is to unshroud the valves. Not that long ago, another mentor, David Reher told me pretty much the same thing. Just food for thought.

Take care man...

Wayne