The 9.8 to 1 engine is pretty much stock config. 2262F, 068 blueprint, Cliff Ruggles QJ, stock 16 heads rebuilt with hardened seats, Dave's Small Body HEI. Sweet setup, stock look, factory parts with a few tweaks. And still on a modest budget, especially for a performance engine.

My '69 gets a lot of street abuse on cruise duty. Hours and hours of idling on hot summer days (in a 400 auto with A/C)...no room for high strung beasts there. I keep a fuel log, dates and dollars and mileage. It won't take long to pay for the rebuild in fuel savings plus I can have fun again nailing the pedal when I'm finally on an open stretch of road.

There is no "one answer fits all". If someone is not a proficient tuner, an engine with a milder configuration might be safer, better, and more satisfying than one that needs constant tweaking for conditions.