[jdorour]

Both the 350 and the 403 have their good points. An early 350 block is stronger and will allow for more race specific use (high stress) but the 403 makes a very good street engine. If you add a set of big valve heads and a good cam combined with the big bore and short stroke a 403 is a real street terror. The 403 is a little harder to find now-a-days. The 403 is very stout - remember GM put 403's in motorhomes- but the guys are right it is not as rugged as a 350 in allout race applications. The 307 can be built but for the money you would be better off with a 350 and the 260 is junk. The 330 was a nice engine but has some limits. For one the 45 degree cam bank angle limits the cam shaft choice - same with the early 400 and the 425. The 400 (long or short stroke) will be very expensive to buy and you can get more out of a 455 for less money. The 455 is a monster and will bolt up to the transmission. The TH300 is a good trans and can be built to take the torque of a big block. They put the TH300 behind Olds 400's in 442's, Pontiac 389's in GTO and Buick 401 Nailheads in the GS.

Have fun!
John