Another opinion question

You were talking about an MP crate engine, which I firmly stay away from..Too many problems for me int he past. To build an iron headed 408/416, you're looking in the $4300 range. But, you could build a very strong 360 for $3500. The stroker route will lower the power peaks a bit over a 340, and a small amount over a 360. For a street car, that is the direction you want to go. You can get "ok" rods (better material, but average quality machining) for about $350, the MP crank for $300, and pistons for $500. You need different bearings, but they are only a hair more $$. Rings, oiling system, and all the machining is the same. Balancing will cost a bit more, like $100 or so (mallory metal to balance the cheap crank), and you'll need to clearance the block for the extra stroke...so it's about $300 more for a stroker, as opposed to building a 360 and reusing the rods and crank.