Might as well toss in my $02. I went after 3 things when I redid my 54 pickup. I wanted it to be fun to drive, easy on the eyes and safe on the road. T5, open drive, discs, shocks, sway bars, turn signals, halegon head lights, LED brake/tail lights and 3 point belts are a must.
I've had numerous folks comment about the truck...."Gotta small block?" and when you tell them "no" I wind up opening the hood while they tell me about their old Chevy Six. Then they've gotta hear it! When they walk away, you know that you've really touched on the "human side" of our love of old iron.
If you're looking for an easier fix the SBC is going to simplify your build. But if you want something that is unique, safe, and most importantly, fun to drive, than you might consider spending a few more bucks, wrestling with a few more issues and keeping the "Heartbeat of America" alive with a 6 cylinder.
