What is the best small block engine out there?  

chevy 350  

I agree, Im a chevy guy.  

I need some criteria to work with, What application, style of vehicle its going in etc.  

I think he just means in general, what would you want... maybe i dunno  

yea i think thats what he means too...  

327chevy  

personaly i like the 327 cause u can use 400 parts and 350 parts for it. it a very univerisal motor.

Travis
65' chevy c20
283/4 on the floor  

That's like asking what the best woman is.  It all depends what your looking to get out of it.  Todays modern SBC it the best ever, but very complicated, and expensive.  I love and drive the 350 w/TPI and a 700R4 trans, but in it's day, the 350HP / 327 L79 was the the motor.  Juice cam, Holley, " fuelie " heads....this motor had the goods.  In '66 Grumpy Jenkins was kicking ass in A stock with this motor in a Chevy ll, and that class included Mopars max wedges and street hemi's.  It was also docile enough to get the groceries without any troubles.  Had one as a replacement motor in a 65 Biscayne ( 300 HP was the biggest available in passenger cars ) ran the old F/X class...ran great, and was a great street motor.  Knew a few guys that wanted to order a new '67 L79 Chevy ll, but GM didn't offer it.  One year only..'66  

Specific? For Chevrolet it could be from a high winding choice from 265 to 400 to LS9. My best mouser was a tight, forged 327 giant killer that out-spun alot of big blocks. But of course, that was when gasoline was real. A good choice is just a plain 'ol Gen 1 350 and a good imagination.  

I won't knock a SB 350. But I sure do miss my 267. It was great on gas and fits 305 and 350 parts.  

for durability, 283.  

Thanks for the comments, I'm just amazed this thread is still around after 9 months.