Brainstorming Ideas for 400-450 hp 360 Build

I second the suggestion to set a budget. I didn't and it spiraled out of control chasing a number.

I started with a 1978 360 out of a van

Bought a SCAT stroker kit with forged I beams, Forged Icon Pistons and crank. I had the machine work done and the blocked decked as well.
I ordered a cam from Bullet and they custom ground one to my specifications, hydraulic flat cam. Cam specs CRA288/296H-08+4, @.50 231/239, .485/.503 Lift with 1.5 rockers, 108/104 LSA/CL.
I had stock iron heads off a 1973 360 with small valves, smogger heads.
I had a Chinese Airgap dual plain intake with a new Quick Fuel 750VS with electric choke.
I ran a stock electronic ignition and Dougs A body long tube headers.

This combo made 427HP and 460 torque on an engine dyno. Great numbers and very solid.

I should have stopped there but has since gone with a Lunati solid flat cam that has been custom ground for my application. I am running a ported Victor 340, CNC220 aluminum big valve heads and have upgraded to a TSP ready to run distributor. The new combo will go back in the car this week and will get run on a chassis dyno to tune as I am having a custom billet carb built for it by Thumper Carbs.

The first version of the build, I had about $4200 including machine work and parts. I assembled it myself.

As stated, it is not difficult to have a 400hp pump gas 360, its very easy to have a 427hp and 460 torque 408.