In the end, it boils down to preference. A maxed out small block with tunnelram, best block and heads, 400+ cubes, will no doubt be fast, a big block will be faster, simply because it can be built bigger, and has a bigger bore. So it boils down to budget and preference. A good reference point would be a comp class, or sprint cars, how much power do they make? At what cost? There is something attractive about either engine family. Personally, I am a bigblock guy, ever since I walked away (unintentionally)from a stop light in third gear in a 383 four speed car in 1970. That amazed me, and set my preference pretty much in stone. But that is me. Somebody out there no doubt had a high winding small block, kicked butt on a few BB cars, and fell in love with it, cementing his preference.