There were title issues or “lack of title” and I was really close to our big move from NC to PA so I saw it as a possible headache. I had the same idea as you…street/strip project car, but it was pointless to me if I couldn’t take it out and cruise the streets legally once and a while.
I’ll probably look for a notch in a year or so for a fun side project.
I think you should just find a good 6.0l truck block, throw some pistons and rods in it and slap a turbo on that. Your options of available heads and a cam are unlimited also.
It’s just hard for me to go with anything other than an LS powerplant in a street/strip car.