Disclaimer: I have not read most of the previous posts.

I would put in a 5.7 Hemi with OD transmission. Here's why: Big blocks are great, but the new Hemi at 475 lb is at least 200 lb lighter than a stock big block. It seems to have plenty of power. With the OD transmission you could run 3.91s for street quickness.

The only thing the axle shaft sees is lb-ft of torque. I don't care what you "feel" or what your "butt dyno" tells you. The placebo effect is so strong that around one third of patients given a placebo reported improved condition. It could certainly be working here with big blocks.

R.

PS: If you intend to do the bulk of your driving 1/4 mile at a time where you don't have to go around corners at speed, the bigblock makes a lot more sense.

PPS: The stroked Mag motor is the middle ground in all this.