Whats the best small block chevy engine out there for a performance ride?  

If I had to go with just one, my pick would be the 377. Destroke a 400 with a 350 crank, and you get an engine with the torque potential of a 383, but it can rev like a 327.  

the difference between a 377 and 383 is neglegable
if you build them identically you will find the 383 will have more torque and the 377 more horse

one question you must ask ...is it for racing or the street i say the 377 for racing and a 383 for the street

either way ill take a 406 over them both  

Wow, tough question I think. Suppose it depends on what it is used for. I had a 305 in an 83 ChevyVan that went over 305,000 miles before I replaced it. It probably would have gone farther but I was replacing the worn out tranny and intended to fix the whole thing back up like new, but she gave her life to protect me when I was hit by an idiot driver nearly head on. I have had 350's in two pick-ups that were great, a quick 327 in a 67 Malibu, and now a 305 in my 98 Silverado. No complaints about any of them. Of course those were daily drivers but for the strip, my choice is one based on a 350. But then there is that 383 stroker that can be nasty and mean. Anyways I think Small Blocks Rule!  

I would have to say the 350. Just because there are so many options for parts, the amount of tq. and horse you want to get out of it is the only thing holding you back...and price.  

If I were to build something with power and torque, I would build a 400 CID. Inter blance it. Take 305 HO Heads have the Valves cut bigger.........ANd kick some butt. With the small chambers on the 305 heads, and the bigger valves....It will kick some butt.....But the heads will not go back on the 305, the valves will hit. And o yea......If you have a machine shop that knows what they are doing......Angle cut the heads....Makes the chambers smaller.  

IF YOU WANT THE LOW-DOWN ON CHEVY SMALL BLOCK ENGINES GO TO: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Small
Block_engine
This web site has mucho data on Chevrolet Small-Block engines.  

Since I'm new at this I'll put in my 2 cents and that is about all it's worth.  I'm sure someone out there will dispute what I'm about to say.  From what I've seen and looking at, price per HP is most important to me.  So many 350s out there with so much "stuff" for them that it is my weapon of choice.  Next I would go with the 327.  

haha mustang eater... thats a cool name  

I would have to go with a good old 350 4 bolt, a 350 weather it has 4 bolt mains or not, simply because there all over the place and with little to no work at all they make good power and torque without having to pay major money for a built up, and they can grab you by the pants if you want to put a little extra time and money in them.  

I would make a 434, there is not replacement for displacement. As one of the original posters stated, what are you trying to do with it? An LS1 would be nice in something. What type of price are you looking to pay and what performance are you looking to make?  

Any other thoughts?  

You can't say the 400 because as a factory engine it was a dog and as a performance engine it has serious reliability issues (namely cracked blocks and thin bores).  

While the small Chevy is perhaps the best foundation ever produced by Detroit. The LS engines, still technically a small block, are hands down superior to the older versions. Big block power and torque with a smaller, lighter, more efficient engine.
 

From the past? The 62-67 327 small journal. The present, the LS7 that are assembled by one person at a time........................ sorry just dreaming again.        WIEDER