There is no rule in dirt track racing about not running a short stroke engine, they don't do it cause there is less power to be made with smaller engines. I can't see any type of racing where they purposley destroke an engine making it have less displacment for the sole purpose of higher rpm capabillity. Not saying there aren't any, but why would they unless it was because of a cubic inch limit Where they use a big bore engine with a short stroke to keep the cubes down, but gain the breathing of a bigger bore.
So ur saying if you had it to do over again you would have made your 350 into a 327 instead of a 383? Come on now :|
Yes almost any engine can make alot of hp, but it takes more rpms and alot more effort/money for a smaller engine to do it. On the street torque is king it's not just for hauling. Sure it's neat to turn 8 grand even on the street, but how practical is that for a daily driver like the op is talking about? He specifically said he didn't wan't a race car motor.
I said before I realize the benifits of long rod 383's, but you can use long rods in a 400 just the same. Yes a 400 has bigger main bearings, but that's definately not a significant concern unless ur making BIG power plus most are 2 bolt mains so where is the real benifit?. (Except 70-72 models which were 4 bolt which some argue aren't any better because of the webbibg loss)
We could argue about this all day, and never come to an agreement, I normally try to avoid any and all arguments on the net, because I think it's a waste of time. You were civil about it though, so I carried on longer than normal. We are free to have our own oppinion and we'll have to just agree to dissagree.
For the op all I can say is do your research before you spend the money! I have done alot of research on the subject and have personally built quite a few small blocks. I know what works for me, but it's different strokes for different folks! (pun intended) Talk to any local speed shops, machine shops, and people at the race track. It's much easier to get accurate answers in person than by internet messaging. IMO