Reliability is more important than all out performance IMO.
For instance, my 454SS has run a best of 12.67 @ 109mph on drag radials. Consistently runs 13.0s on street tires (as you see it in the pic below), and has 398 whp/417 wtq. The motor was dynoed 11 years ago and made 505 peak crank hp/535 peak tq. The Accel DFI has never been properly tuned since installed. I regularly pound the snot out of it every time I drive it. It has done 2 Power Tours (2007 Long Hauler 2800 miles in 8 days). I have put 40k miles on this combo and aside from an oil consumption issue (truck has always used oil since new), I have had no issue. I have alot of $$ wrapped up in it, but it was money well spent vs. the many miles/years that I have driven it. It still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.
I have to be careful of how I say this next part in case this somehow gets back to him - not trying to talk smack at all. I know of a local truck that has made almost 700whp (twin turbo'd LSx), yet has only run 12.1 in the quarter. I don't believe it has made it thru an entire summer on the same motor. If he ever gets it dialed in he'll probably go 10s with it, maybe faster. Problem is he hasn't yet. He also runs a T56 six speed and has fought the same clutch issues I have (for the most part). In a roll race he would obliterate my truck. No comparison on the street. Thing is I drive my truck alot and have very little issues with it. I have had clutch issues over the years, but really only when trying to launch at the track, on drag radials. Never had a clutch failure on the street.
As I get older, I am more complacent with how my truck performs. I always wanted a fast truck, but I do remember my original intent was to go 12.50's. Never made it there, but understand that I could if I really had to. It's probably a tune and a bottle away from 11s. Maybe someday, but it is tough to argue with how reliable it is.