Lets assume we are dealing with simular size big blocks with same CID but with different rod lenghts and pin heights. The one that provides the longer piston dwell at TDC will cause higher cylinder pressures... correct? Will this in turn promote the higher chance of detonation with all other things being equal?

According to John Kaase, longer tdc dwell with a good quench reduces detonation tendencies. See the engine masters results from 2003. or was it 2002?? Anyways the article is still on the hot rod website.

Jon Kaase also put a longer stroke and much shorter rods in the winning big block Ford, even going so far as to sleeve all eight cylinders in the in order to shrink the bore to 4.25 inches stroked the motor to a little over 4". He used short rods on the order of 6.125". His small combustion chamber heads were the real secret.