old school vs. new school....

[59weasel]

it goes a little something like this...
running '79 454ci w/ 700r4
thinking "newer" 5.3 or 6.0 carbed.
cool factor IMO is when you open the hood and see the big block! but i haven't changed intake and headers and such and i'm at 750 "ish" lbs. right now. so i'll just say 700 lbs. in the end. not a race engine so i figure 350 "ish" H.P...?

or...

newer 5.3 / 6.0 (most likely 5.3 as they are cheaper and easier for me to locate) at 450 lbs. and then intake and carb it and add headers and probably end up in the same boat with H.P....? but 350 -400 lbs. lighter!!

i'm sure this would help with handling as the front of the truck would be that much lighter. as the MPG's would most likely be better by a mile or two i would think??

so do i spend $700 - $1000 to make the BBC better (it was a doner truck and it ran good with good comps. no smoke... but that doesn't always mean all is ok!!) or do i sell the BBC and help use the $$ for a 5.3 and spend some $$ on switching it over to carbed style?

my buddy has a 6.0L carbed and headers in a 63 nova he runs down the strip, and he hauls A$$! running 5th. in points for 2 seasons now. and he has done nothing but carb it and headers, and MSD box of course.

what do you say?????? thanks guy's!!