If a goal is set for the car instead of the engine, then it's much easier to decide if the 318 is the smart choice or if a 512 stroker is the right choice. An honest to goodness 275 hp engine will leave a black mark pulling out of the parking lot, gain speed up hills on a touch of the gas, and pass a slow moving car very quickly, and run into the 14's in a A-body car with highway gears. In this case, the 318 they already own is a smart choice. If they want to run with their brothers Red Eye Scat Chally, then the 318 becomes a poor choice (naturally aspirated) from a cost perspective.