what is the best small block and why ?

the wall said
...but there goes all the other things that make cruising fun.

I can "cruise" at whatever power level I feel is appropriate. I think winding it out and banging the gears at WOT is what destroyed my 4-speed. That's what I use the car for, not cruising. I have a '71 New Yorker 440 TnT for that. :D

Just depends on what you use the car for.