I really appreciate both of your responses. True, it really is a matter of what I want to do with the car. I equally like having both a special design on the hood, as well as having the original screamin' chicken. <g> However, I can't have it both ways. The car, whenever "that" time comes, will be handed down within the family. I am just hoping that it can keep its value as much as possible, and that's the crux of it.
As far as the engine goes, I had, but not really had a choice as to what I wanted to do. Otherwise I would've ended up arguing with myself for eons. The original 400 had decent power, fair amount of torque, but the rear end stinks. I did try to modify it once by putting in a beefier cam and lifters, but there's only so much you can do with Poncho 400, I believe. Then I started having transmission issues, whereby at times it wouldn't shift at normal/regular intervals. Transmission shop said the tranny was fine, so I ended up getting a compression test done on her. Two cylinders were almost completely dead. So, it was either a rebuild, or find another Pontiac 400, preferably from the late 60's, early 70's. The car sat for months and then my mechanic at the time located the 400 I have in the T/A right now. Sorry for rambling on somewhat.
Thanks again!