[olds]

I could see why your shop would say a 406 stroker is overkill or overpriced, whichever. You could make the same HP with a 383, or even a 350 and it would save tons of money. You wouldn't have nearly the same torque, but why would you need it? I'll have about 3,500$ in my 383 and I guestimate it will have between 470-520 hp/tq. It's really a mild build, perfect for the street, and built to handle throughout the entire streetable RPM range (not too much top end or too much low end).

^^AFR 210's are a bit overkill, I would build a 383 with AFR 195cc intake runners - they outclass anything else in that size range hands down.

You could run a 700 hp motor on the street, it's not the power that matters, it's a question of where the power is delivered in the RPM range and how effective the power is put on the ground without losing too much driveability. In my opinion, I wouldn't want less than 500hp out of my SBC or why would I spend that kinda money.

edit - as for reliability, I would guess they're referencing to the huge bore, downgrade to a 383 then you won't have the cooling and structural problems. Also for mileage - that has nothing to do with the engine, it's gearing and airflow.