Valiant Drag Car ?'s
Of course if we are talking a chassis car it won't matter how much room is in the engine compatment. If you build a 4 link rear and strut front end you'll have plenty of room for the big block and fat meats too.
I think a stroker big block is the route to go. You could easily build a milder pump gas friendly 500 cube big block for cheaper than you could a 400 cube 13:1 race gas only small block. It would be cheaper to operate too in the long run. You won't have to twist it hard so it would be less maintenance and consume less parts.