I've got a 427" (4.04"B x 4.17" stroke) SB Ford in my Cobra replica, I couldn't agree more that once you start taking a small (stock) block much over 4" you need to think more in terms of street/strip torque motor and not race motor, 4" is right at the border. My 427 and this new 440" SB Mope is basically going to be treated like a compact light weight big block street motor...all in by ~6000.
A very good example of the kind of motors I like to do for dual purpose is the 442" AMC I posted on a few weeks back. Get as much torque as you can in early and hold it as long as you can for a reasonable powerband and be all done before the high RPM side loading and piston speed starts tearing up the block, it's really just common sense if you think about it. If you put it in a light car and with mild gearing the block isn't subjected to abnormally high piston speed the vast majority of the time. Occasional "Abuse" isn't that big a deal if well tuned and the motor has good oiling and cooling systems.
For a pure race motor with a stock block I'd look at a long rod 3.79" stroke (Like Mr P's combo as a good example) and throw head and gear at it.
