[Excaliber]

destroking was more common back in the day. The GM 302, what could be called a destroked 327 (a bit miss leading but you see the point) is a good example of that thinking. Of course there were other reasons for a 5 liter block back then.

The modern thinking is a long stroke and small bore, like the GM 305, totally different than it's brother the 302.

The principle behind it remains very valid indeed. BIG bore, short stroke, builds rpm faster and runs higher rpm with less risk of failure. A classic "recipe" used by many many race engine type designs for decades. Still hold true today.