You could get 100 different answers for this question really, but it all comes down to what you want out of it. If you want a low maint deal that will run good but you're not concerned about rotating the earth I would go with a .030 or .055 over stock block 440 with a half fill and main studs. Buy a good stock stroke 440 rotating assembly with flat top pistons. When I say good I mean forged crank, rods, and pistons. A set of RPM heads and decent intake with a 950 gas or e85 carb. Build it to about 11to1 compression for pump gas or e85 with a small roller around .650ish. This combo in your light car would easily run 9's and would run forever. But that's just what I would do.