347's usually get a bad rap because the pin location is high up in the piston and if it intrudes into the ring area oil consumption goes up. Also people don't care for the rod to stroke ratio at 1.59:1 but to be honest the high and mighty chevshit 454 has a crappier R/S ratio (not to mention a 400 sbc) or even a Ponticrap 455, for that matter.
However even at a comparitavely low 3500 fps piston speed the thing can live for extended periods of time at 6100 rpm. (talking 2 bolt block with studs and girdle)
As for more torque down lower, yeah if you've got a set of heads designed for a 302 it'll do that. Put on a set of heads designed for a 351 and it'll think its a 351. Strokes about the same and the bore is the same. Rod length s are different so naturally side loading with the 351 is gonna be lower.
Personally I would get a stroker kit and go find a macnine shop that knows their crap. That way you can check things out as its built and have more control over what goes on. Not to knock DSS (I've heard good things about them too, and read all the stuff about Coast here). But look at it like this, if you get a stroker short block from some body doing mass-production the Guy's name who is on the sign ain't the one building each and every motor. It's somebody else. That really comes down to do they have good hiring practices. If not then you end up with a piece of Junk like everybody is talking about from Coast.
Ultimately it comes dwon to the quality of work perfomed on the engine and how you set it up. Just like everything else. CRAP N = Crap OUT
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