Don't forget to consider the GEAR ratios! Trans and rear. The big change I made to my car recently, a TKO with a 1st gear ratio similar to what most folks are running. BUT, before that I had a close ratio top loader with a high 1st gear ratio.
Turns out, the top loader, with that high gear, was not a bad call. The higher gearing allowed for much better control of rear wheel spin. I've heard guys here talk about getting faster ET at the 1/4 mile by using SECOND gear to take off rather than first gear!! Well, the close ratio 1st gear is almost like second gear already.
OK, so NOW I have the typical TKO with a "reasonable" or "typical" 1st gear ratio, nothing wrong with that, but it's a learning curve for me. It's WAY more difficult to control wheel spin now than it was before. BIG POWER is great, after you hit 85-90 mph and it finally starts to "hook up"!!!
Literally, I have to be in third gear, north of 85 mph, with SLICKS to put ALL the power down. Before that, I have to modulate the throttle carefully to keep the wheel spin down. I am not exaggerating even a little, I'm talking 100% truth as tested on the the drag strip and the race track.
...and this is AFTER I rebuilt the motor for a more mild street build and gave up a 100 horse or so. There is little doubt I'm still running 500 plus horse, or I got some worthless slicks, or something.
Had a small block, it was OK, it bothered me not being a big block. It kept eating at me in fact, finally, I had to do it, HAD to have a big block. Of course, that had to be a side oiler as well, only way to be sure I'd be satisfied. Love it, wouldn't go back, gotta be big, with plenty horses, dam the tires, let 'em fry then.