I built a 11.5: 355 for my 70 Chevy 4X back in 1988, it was my daily driver for 8 years on nothing but 89 octane and 104 booster with 35* total timing. The same engine is still in the truck today, it's tired and only sees action once a month but on days I need to get two cars out to the track I can still drag the open trailer with it.