Reply to "Build Your Own 91 octane, 500 HP, 377CID CLEVELAND?"

The balancing matters alot, a stock engine is pretty rough. My original engine is set up the same with an improved exhaust, A good free flowing air cleaner and a ignition system up grade, until the latest chevy Zo6 vette they were easy prey, and 175 mph across the desert is what I have taken the Pantera to.
Your combo is a notch up from my original engine, so depending on your cam, ie, were it is expected to work on your rpm curve and other components " the heads work on the upper rpm range" say 3000rpm to 7000rpm in a 351 cid or lower with a stroker, this is power and not nessasarily undrivable as my original engine is a sweet running engine in traffic/ stop and go, you just need to bring the rev's up for action. I would say do at least the headers now while the engine is out, bigger pipes to your mufflers and gut your mufflers so it can breath. Without all these items working together or choking your engine it could be a disappointment after all your hard work.
The best headers in my opinion are made by Pat Mical, are not cheap. There are some in the middle, thats what I am running now and there is some real junk out there. Research should pay big dividends on your build, I've spent hours checking all my parts to get what I want for my build so hopefully my conclusions ad up.

Mark