i personally have a 302 base motor that walks all over these windsors, cubic inches are nice but it's all about the combo. I personally haven't jumped on the 408 bandwagon yet so i'm sure you'll get both opinions
Nitrous Rick had a basic Bronco short block (351) with out the box Victor Jr heads, a Super Victor and a comp cams off the shelf flat tappet solid and he went 10.80 on motor in his car. He went 9.80 on the hose. This is of course with a stick trans. PM him for details. This motor ran on pump gas all day long.
351 FTW .. Blocks are stonger, more cubic inches, Way more Tq so you don thave to twist them to the moon to get a decent e.t, which is thus easier on parts.. And of course there is no replacment for cubic inches