[mdross1]

Your not alone when it comes to not being happy with your ride.Went through it once after buying a big block Vette with side exhaust.
As you have read your issues can be fixed.Have to add the only way you are ever going to know is dive into it.If you get rid of your big block car for a small block car then are still not happy,it may be a lot more expensive to go back to a big block and modify it to satisfy your needs.
Rear exhaust is how we went with our big block car and love it.
Good Luck