big block or small block

You aren't going low 11's or 10's with a small block for cheap, especially in a street car. Nothing is cheap today. To rebuild an engine isn't cheap, and crate engines that put out enough to send a 3,400lbs car and driver low 11's or 10's aren't cheap either. Maybe the definition of cheap varies.
John is humble. He won't admit his knowledge give's him a one second advantage.
50 years of tinkering with small blocks will do that to a guy.