see, its a pointless arguement...just like chevy vs. ford.
Ive had both & like em both, just like Stu said earlier:
Small blocks are smaller & lighter, parts are cheaper, but on the other hand,a 454 can make an easy 500+ reliable streetable horsepower, with the stock cast crank& rods& headsbecause itll never have to be reved past 6grand.
Asmall block however to make those kind of streetable numbers will need to be reved, gotta buy a good crank, rods & some heads thatll flow. John