Thanks for the feedback! I've actually gone back and forth on all of those options but ultimately have settled on the hemi. I also have a 440 and BB 727 in the garage. The builds I looked at for both the 318 and 440, or even a magnum just added up pretty quick to get reliable power. I've been seeing a ton of 5.7 engine and trans pulled out of wrecked cars for under 2,000. Even less at pull-a-part. For the cost the engine/trans plus the hotwire wiring and some engine parts listed above, it seems like I can get super reliable power pretty reasonably priced. Certainly open to ideas and I'll keep researching all options, but I'm pretty set on the idea of selling what I have and building a mild 5.7 with an OD trans. Just seems like the perfect combo for what I am wanting.