[KingLT1]

If road course racing is going to be on your priority list then I would definitely upgrade to a ZLE before I did Heads/Cam on a SS 1LE. Especially if you are going to spend a lot of money on things that are not needed like drop-in pistons and rods.

The SBE LT1 will handle more power then you will be able to make NA. The tight ring gaps are the only reason why some have ran into trouble with boost. It's not a strength issue it's a matter of high cylinder pressure and temps(especially on 93 pump gas) causing the rings to butt. You could take the pistons out, re-gap the rings and probably make as much power reliably as most of these "drop-in" kits that are likely "marginally better" in terms of strength. But most think because they see the term "forged" it's inherently better.

Gen 3 5.3 engines have made 1200hp and survived with re-gapped rings. I would say your chances of dropping a stock exhaust valve is far greater then hurting the bottom end on a NA application.

So yea I would definitely go ZLE.