426 inch+ small blocks
So worst case scenario, you got to change rings every 15k+-. I think that would be worth it if it was the case. I do agree that people get a little to caught up in theory, however valid those theories maybe.
I think if you want a ton of torque without putting a big block in, you know what to do.
I mean come on 430 inches in a smallblock, how cool is that. Hughes has dyno charts on there 426 kit, like 450 foot pounds from 2600 rpms. So like I said, even worst case scenario, changing rings every 15k would be worth it to me. However I think that the lower power band and shift points would add to the engines life.
http://www.hughesengines.com/TechArticles/dyno_tests_articles.php
Look at some of those numbers and tell me it isn't worth it.