I'd say go the freeze plug type, more work to install but......North Carolina....just saw that, all you'll need is a oil pan heater, a nice hot one like 100W.
I have a two stick on oil pan heaters on mine totaling 150W, plus a freeze plug type block heater. Definitely helps in the winter, I started it at -44F once and hopefully never again, I've heard of timing belts shattering and would like to avoid that. :shock: Good luck