If you want to go 9.50 to 9.70 at 3,000 or heavier, you will need 700 hp? Expensive with a smallblock. You will need great heads, a rollercam, and an aftermarket block. Going with a 400 block will get you the power cheaper. At this stage of performance, weight reduction rule really comes into play. Getting wieght down to 2800 to 2900 pounds from 3200 is going to lower the hp requirements from 700 to 625 or so, much cheaper to get to.