want to build new motor

Some good suggestions there Rumblefish. I believe it to be much more difficult to build a street Hot Rod verses a race only application. So MANY things you have to build around, trying to keep it pump gas friendly and tractable enough for daily driver. The stroker route is a good one. Even with steel production head castings, the torque these engines produce is amazing. With good deep port work with (max cross-section), these heads can flow good numbers 260-270 feet (cfm). A 408 stroker so equiped can lay down 500 ft.lbs. and 500 horsepower. Makes a sweet cruiser...when you stomp on the 'loud pedal'. Build it, good luck. And...as always...keep us posted. Terry.