Crank is shot, do I stroke it or not?

Ok, so I've been reading info on 408 strokers for days now trying to decide if I should do a 360 rebuild or a 410 stroker build.

Here's what I have:


Yes, that's pretty much all the crap I have in my garage.

Intended vehicle purpose:

It's going to be a "daily driver" with a nice balance of performance, street-ability, mileage, and vacuum for power brakes - the goal is to build the car with pro-touring in mind because going in straight lines gets boring, and a spirited drive up to Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead (California) would be fun.

I'm not looking for all out horsepower. It will probably never see the drag strip. Well, maybe once or twice to Irwindale, just for fun. I do admit, I do love low end torque....FYI.

So right now, the engine is at IMM and I was given a choice and I'm having a hard time deciding. Since the crank is pretty much trash, I have to replace it. Brian (IMM) suggested I can either a) replace the 360 crank or b) spend a bit more and stroke it. Also, the heads will be replaced but I forgot to ask with what. Either way, this is a limited budget build so it's definitely iron heads. Also, I'll most likely be keeping the XE268H cam, lifter and spring kit. Oh, and definitely keeping the Air Gap.

Now that you know the limitations of the build, maybe you fella's can help me decide. I pretty much have two routes to go, and here they are:

Route 1:

Rebuild the 360 using replacement 360 crank, heads, pistons, and possibly keeping the stock rods, XE268H cam, with Air Gap intake and Edelbrock 650 AVS carb.

This route would mean I'd probably have to put the 8 1/4" back under the car since I don't have the funds to rebuild the 8 3/4" with different gearing, which is fine because then I don't have to modify my driveshaft either.

I won't have the fun of having all that torque of a stroker, but the money I save could be put towards body and paint.

Route 2:

Since I have to buy a crank anyway, then might as well stroke it. More torque, right? But, will the cam and head limitation make it not worth it?

Since the cam would be considered small for a stroked engine, then that should satisfy my street-ability requirement, no? It should produce tons of vacuum for the power booster as well.

Since the torque will be there, I can most likely still run that 2.76 gear in the 8 3/4" rear end I have and cruise down the highway at 70 to 80 mph (just to keep up with the big rigs on the 710 freeway) without it revving to kingdom come.

Anyway...what do you guys think? I hope I gave you enough info on the intended purpose of the car and what I want out of it to help me decide.

Keep in mind, this is being built by Brian at IMM so either way I feel that I'll be in good hands.

I added a pic so you can see what I'm working with. One of these days, I'll get around writing an official build thread. I have been keeping a picture log, so one of these days.