Gotta agree on the spend more to go slow thing. It's why I like the 451 so much...Reusing factory stuff makes sense to me,cuz then I stay away from chink stuff.
WE use stock 440 Cranks for our 383 & 400 Block based 438/451 stuff, as a good application for otherwise unwanted stock stroke forged cranks.
WE have about 8 of them running around / Bracket Racing in the Calgary/Edmonton area over the last 4 years... very popular.
XS282S Solid Cam is the default
Pump gas 91 Octane
Eddy Heads(we port)
usually 570'ish HP with 580'ish Torque
VERY capable Performers !
I can post up some Duyno Sheets if anybody wants ?
We Dyno everything before it leaves.