4age vs 7age options Options

[SinisterWhisper]

Tranny is bad and if im pulling the engine might as well swap out my tired old 7afe. I can't take out the 7a block so keep in mind I'd have to get a second one for a 7age, but here are my options.

4age silvertop 160 hp but overated, supposedly better starting platform then a blacktop

4age blacktop 165hp has lighter internals then silver so revs higher stock, 500 more to start with

7age 16valve 160-200hp? Not easy to build, but parts could be sourced more easily. Need to research how much hp the stock 7a rods can take, but getting forged rods will cost more then a 20valve. Will have more torque in the end.

I am leaning towards the blacktop mainly since it is newer and a little more exotic. I could very easily live with 160hp when the swap is done so any of the engines are feasible to me. My long term goal would be 200-250hp at the crank, but that is out of my budget for now and would require a rebuild regardless. I would like to know if the silvertop is really a better starting platform with a blacktop? I have been digging through twincam.org and club4age, but I dont know who's word to trust.