I'm looking at building a tow pig small block magnum based engine, not sure which displacement yet, don't know if it'll be a 360, 390 (stroked 318) or 408. I'm scouting my stash and also scouting available parts and "bang for the buck" factor, on what's out there. I don't need or want anything exotic, don't want to go cheap for the sake of cheapness, nor whole hog for the sake of bragging rights, but don't want to be wasteful in what I spend on parts. Basically buy what I have to, and not what I absolutely don't need.
It will in all likelihood be fed by a 4bbl and a TQ at that. I want the best I can get doing as much of the parts shopping and assembly as I can possibly do in my garage. But I don't want to be hauling my camper 2-3 states away having to do premium fuel at every fill up