you can make power with any motor, 283-400. a lot of people would rather build the biggest small block they can and great. nothing like a mega horsepower sbc. i am buttoning up my 331" stroker and with smart cam choice and some serious porting and poliching onmy heads i know i will make a good number at the wheels. The secret to the small block chevy is in the cam and cylinder heads, getting the exhaust port flowing proporly will wake up any small block.