Lots of interesting answers....I guess the real answer is, it depends on budget, and ultimately, the weight of the car with driver. Me, if its over 3000 w/driver, I would probably not do a stroked small block where you probably have to buy an after market block and heads. The cost could easily exceed that of a stroked 440, which based on the number of 440 combo's easily going that fast at 3200lbs, is one of the best combo's for the money. Even on pump gas, 750hp is attainable with off the shelf parts and a stock block.

The big Hemi, if you do not have a block already, options are limited and pricey and may have long lead times for the block anyways. I like them, but they come with their own set of issues. They will easily take a big heavy car well into the 9's, but you can spend a ton of money making one of them work if you can get a block.

Now a NA G3 Hemi will run in the upper 9.80's 9.90's in a 3200lb car with driver, and relatively cost about the same or a little more than a 440 stroker, but with less maintenance in the long run.

A Hellcat engine will be the fastest of all for the money....If you get one from MMX for $15k and the efi from FastMan Rich....Those things run...We are talking 9.10 at that weight....And its dependable!

The LS platform, well, there is that....I am not putting one of those into my Cuda.