There's more choices than ever for engine builders....If your not stuck on date codes!!

I talked to a guy the other day who was trying to build a Z/28 clone. He had secured a nice, solid, '69 Camaro and most of the trim pieces-emblems, spoilers, etc he had gotten from year one. He was griping that he couldn't find a "DZ" code 302 block, and he was having trouble finding an M21 or M22 Muncie 4-speed with 1968 or 69 date codes. You think?  My 1st suggestion since the car is a clone anyway-was to buy a GMPP 425 hp 383 crate engine and back it with a Tremec 5-speed. My 2nd suggestion-if he's just "Gotta Have" a 302 / 4-speed combo was get a 350 block and put a 3.00 inch stroke rotating assembly in it. GMPP, Eagle and other companies sell them. Now you've got 302 inches. I also suggested buying a Richmond Super T10 from Summitt. The 2.64 or 2.88 low-geared model would be much better for acceleration with a 302 than the M21 / M22's 2.20:1 low.  He says-wait for it-"But that's not correct." It's a clone-the whole freaking car isn't correct!!  I understand trying to build something to get the look and feel of your dream car without spending 100k. But honestly when he's winding his car through the gears-is he going to be thinking-"This is awesome, but it'd be so much better if the block had the proper numbers and this tranny was a Muncie instead of a T10."  Puhleeeze. Anyhow-the point I'm trying to make is you can build just about anything with the help of the afrermarket. Dart is offering brand-new 400 inch small-block Chevy blocks. You want to build a 427 Chevy Rat Motor? Get a 454 block out of an old truck and GMPP or Eagle can hook you up with a 3.76 inch stroke rotating assembly. And a new flywheel and balancer of course. ( 454s are externally balanced, 427s are internally balanced ). Want a 421 Pontiac? Eagle and Butler or Kaufmann Performance can hook you up with a 4 inch crank assembly to make your 389 / 400 into a 421. Edelbrock and Trick Flow have aluminum "Cleveland" style heads and intakes that bolt up to Windsor blocks so you can build your own "Boss" 302 or "Boss" 351. With stroker cranks, you could build a "Boss" 347 or a "Boss" 392 or 427!!  How badass would that be?  The point is the stuff is out there to build virtually anything. So stop griping and build that killer motor you've been dreaming of.  Mastermind