crankshafts: BILLET vs FORGED steel?

[reddragon93]

i'm getting ready to build or purchase a 396 or 408 windor stroker kit or engine. my question is, should I buck up and get a Billet steel crank over a Forged steel part? From what I can gather, the whole point of getting a billet part is because the "grains" of the metal are all flowing in the same direction and thus making the part stonger. well the very nature of a crankshaft dictates that the part makes 90 degree turns every few inches or so. doesn't this throw the whole idea of the benifits of billet right out the window??? or am I missing some crucial info? the 4340 forged steel crank will run me something like 700-1000 dollars, while I believe a billet piece is roughly twice that price. I don't mind spending the money (even if it a little overkill) in order to do it right the first time, IF it is really worth it (ie. it is really that much stonger). any info or opinions are greatly appreciated. also any insight into the value/benefits of "neutral" or "zero" balancing is greatly appreciated. thanks.

sincerely,
chris