I agree fully with everything you are saying. I don't want you guys to tell me to go with the 351, it just seems to make sense in my mind at the moment. I appreciate everything you guys are telling me. I'm just trying to figure out which I should go with. I'm on a budget, yes. However, I will build the engine like I want eventually. I'm just looking at it like this: if I can go ahead and get the 351, and then spend 150-200 dollars to do the swap that wont be too bad. Then I can build the motor which should make around the same hp as the 302 combo(according to my research, PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong.) Then when I save some money, and maybe deploy again I'll be able to come back and build the motor I want, and not have to worry about the block. Or I can build the 302(Buying the two short blocks cost the same)which has 85000 miles on it, throw all my stuff together on it, and bolt it in the car. I save 150-200 dollars this way, make the same power, but have to worry about later down the road when I build it up if I'm going to crack the block. Now let me explain my expectations with this car. It will be a street strip car with a 5 speed forever. I'd like a power range that is not too radical for a standard trans. I was thinking 600-650 hp, now if that is too much for a standard please inform me about what I should be shooting for. I do not want to have to put an auto in this car to go fast in a straight line. I'm just trying to figure out what to do to not have to redo everything down the road due to block problems. Again, If you think I can do what I am wanting to accomplish with the 302, then please let me know. I'm not trying to tell you guys which engine I want you to tell me to put in the car. I just want honest opinions about the combo and how you would go about it if your expectations from the car were the same as mine. Thanks.