[b454rat]

I love it when everyone says big blocks are so expensive to rebuild. Yes there more than a small block, but everyone does/done that. No one seems to do big blocks anymore. I have about $3k into my 454 in my car. Nothing crazy, pretty much what OP has. I can't remember what pistons I used. Think they have .133" dome, so with the 781 about 10:1 compression. My motor makes about 375, and hauls some serious ass. Car weighs aboot 3200 I'm guessing. A very, very competent engine builder told me that you could put a flower pot in a cylinder of a big block and still make power. And yes a big block weighs more than a small block, but put an aluminum intake and water pump and it will lighten it some. If your building a street truck, put the battery in the bed to help lighten it. Also do a google for big block S-10, it's doable but quite a bit of work.