I think that 98 screamer hit it on the head...It makes the engines sound bigger. It must have been a marketing ploy for guys like me that grew up in the 60's. To us a 330 is a small block. Had to have at least a 383 or a 390 to begin to get into big block territory, and after awhile those were too small. 427's and 440's were what we wanted, not 256's and 330's. Personally, I still buy the biggest engine I can get. Sure wish the V10 was an F150 option!
I believe Olds made a 307 in the 80's. If I remember right, they were pigs.

 

Not to go off on a tangent but.

The first Z-28 in 1968 had a 302ci.
Was one bad azz engine w/ a red line over 8000rpm's
Had a underestimated power of 300hp but was really around 390hp.

It's the only Chevy I would push.