Tom: all of your dimensional discussion is spot-on. Bore spacing is the single most important basic parameter for engine potential. But in my humble opinion, I see (3) distinct engine building philosophies:
Passionate Poncho - this camp likes the idea of using the 4.62 stock bore spacing because it is unique and takes greater creativity to make power. Prime example....Rodney & Travis run a 6.27 "with one hand tied behind their back" and it's way cooler than using a more generic race motor. Based on what's in my garage, I fit this category.
Serious ET - this group wants to make big power any way possible; to the limit of their checkbook. There's already tons of purpose-built race engines parts for 4.900. 5.000, 5.300, etc. bore spacing that will make big power with already-proven parts......with the development costs already absorbed by somebody else. In my mind, these purpose-built race motors aren't BBC's.
Nuts - spending 6-figure development money to make another wide bore spaced engine (in the same range as what's already available) just to be able to pretend it's a Pontiac. If I had lottery money and was going to develop a wide bore space motor, I'd do something that hasn't been done before...like 5.500".
JMHO,
Eric
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