This may be a bit off target but here's my take on our cars and the expense to drive them and have fun. Any of you own or ever own a boat? The pleasure of operating a boat is measured in gallons per hour. My point is this is a hobby and we need to enjoy our hobby the best we can. Maybe that means pulling the big block and dropping in a late model small block with FI and an o/d trans. Still get to enjoy the car and get good mpg but it may not have the grunt it had with the big block. That's the trade-off we make but still get to enjoy!