Hi Kev, long time no see.
I don't think power is going to be an issue no matter which I go for, carbs are probably the way to go and they sound better too. Andy prefers carbs, I'm in his very capable hands so I'm happy with whatever he says. Induction noise is how to make a V8 sound like a V8.
Like you I want reliability, over fancy power boosting stuff, keep it as stock as possible apart from the Mega Jolt to get it waterproof and do away with the normal let down item of a wet distributor.
I need to do a list of things that stop V8's in water and address them to see if we can make it as good as possible, I realise it's never going swim like a diesel, but when I have done that, it's new oils in diffs, new fan, new alternator, new starter motor. I ask myself is it worth it? I've done all of that, time comes to drive around the deep water and just play in the mud, which I prefer anyway.