I really don't think I need all that torque in a passenger car
it is better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
my stroker developed a little over 500' of torque.
if you think every time you pull out you smoke the tires your wrong.
torque is like speed. you control it with the go pedal.
I will tell you this. TORQUE WILL PUT A ON YOUR FACE

 

My sentiments exactly. The nice thing about a big torque motor is it can be a nice docile well mannered street machine when you want it to and then a beast when you want it to. Short stroke high rev engines need a pretty big cam to make good power so they are typically lacking in the low end (think pulling away from a stop light) and rather unruly around town. They really shine when you can wind them up but as a daily driver they have poor street manners. My '01 SS with a cammed LS1 (5.7L/346cid) is a good example.
It's a gas to drive and I love it, big lumpy cam,LS6 intake and heads,long tube headers etc. etc. 400 rwhp but it would not be a good daily driver especially if you live in the city. I live way out in the country and it's strictly a weekend fun car hot rod,great fun out here but in city traffic not so much.

 

True. Big Block power has a lot of grunt. I used to have a 440 mag 68 Charger R/T (I know, I know) and once I released the clutch and stepped on the pedal, it would pin you in the seat.
I had the privilege of driving my brother's '69 Z/28 and it was through some twisties and some long straight a ways. Nice country roads before people wanted to go to the same place. NICE ride and definitely FUN. But you're right about a daily driver.

 

If you go with a 283 or pre 1968 327 crank they are small journal mains. You will need main bearing spacers. Good rod ratios for a daily driven engine BTW.