500 vs 512 from 400ci

WOW! I’d call that a dilemma. The difference in pistons are only .200. That’s not a lot IMO for what you were saying. Personally, the whole thing is about 12 cubic inches. Really nothing IMO. Even more so on a street car.

I myself would rather use the shorter stroke and longer rod combo and not worry about the .200 in distance on compression height. If there is anything to look at on pistons in this area, it would be overall height, top to bottom on the piston for longevity.