This issue has been debated forever and will continue to be debated. To each his own. Myself, I prefer to leave the stovebolt engines in these trucks and the 360 hp LT1 should remain in the Z or a similar muscle car. That's just my opinion and that is good for me. If my buddy drops a SBC in his old truck, that's fine with me too, I appreciate them all. If you have some hesitation with pulling out the six, just leave it for now. Try it out and go from there.
Oh, and hope you get the neighbour's panel.