best compression ratio street build?
For a budget build that has to be reliable, I'd say don't worry about a horsepower figure... Just build a nice engine and it will be fine. Upgrade the pistons, internally balance it, have the heads done. Get the static ratio somewhere between 9-9.5:1. If you have power brakes run a cam with no more duration than 220°@.050. If you don't have power brakes, go no bigger than 230°@.050. With the usual headers and manifold/carb this should make around 350hp and be dead reliable, reusing many parts and keeping the cost down.