American V8s have tremendous variety ... I used to be like you, PHiZ, until I started checking out like every book in the library on engines, and asking lots of questions at those car shows. It's amazing how much time people invest in getting to know a single engine inside/out. Years, literally.

The 350 outlasted almost every other engine because of its incredible versatility - it's not too heavy, can be detuned in times of emissions crises (70s), or times of highway safety madness (80s), yet can be brought up to huge performance levels with not so much work. Parts are ubiquitous for them ... you can find them everywhere.

I don't know how I feel about tossing them into every known chassis ever made. People did it with Volvos, which I used to be hardcore into, and now with Del Sols, too, eh? Madness.