The bigger engine will cover up a multitude of performance sins. I've seen lesser built 440's with less gear and cast heads go 10.5's and the same day a 496 stroker "bigger built" and more gear go 11.2's. Some guys go 15.2's with their "hopped up" 340 street cars and others go 12.4's with an equally built car. So go big and it will cover up a lot of what a guy doesn't know.
