The SBC is a pretty good all around performer. Very cheap to rebuild and very reliable. I currently have a 72 280SE 350/700R4 conversion that runs very well.
One day I came out of an auto parts store and some young guys were looking under the hood of a rice burner. I walked past and saw a nice strut brace, air induction, other performance stuff...
I'm parked next to 'em in the old 280 with her painted hubcaps...
Just as I'm about to get in her I ask jokingly If they think that Honda can out run this old MB. As I got in I heard them laughing. Then I started the 300+hp 350 up. Funny how they came running over wanted to look under the hood. They said..."no way" when they saw what was there.
I didn't do the conversion. But I couldn't resist when I saw it for sale.
Its alot of fun.
Although I did put a 375HP SBC in a 914 once. Scary fast!

Now I want to put a 617 in a 914. Must be getting old.

Dan