Go to the link I posted. You can dress a 5.9 magnum with LA front sheet metal so looks wise it will appear like any other LA.

The bonous is you can find a good short block to build from in a wrecker and save machine shop costs by keeping a stock bottom end and going from there.

Probably the cheapest option to get to the 400hp mark.

Hes old. He can or he cant now afford it your opinion or his ? DO your research, stay away from overpriced CHINESE crap. Keep it simple. Doesnt have to scream, doesnt have to last 40 yrs. Think more what makes HIM happy.

He can afford it. He just has a hard time spending the money. I've told him I'd rather see him enjoy his fruits of all these hard years of work and saving than see him worry about spending any $ and not enjoying it. I personally would like to see him build the 340 than order up a crate motor but he I think wants to know his options. He learned well from my grandpa that no matter the amount of $ you spend you best have a good reason and info on what you are spending it on. Grandpa was a wise old man who believed you best fix it yourself before paying someone else to fix it for you. Dad is pretty much the same way. Which I was surprised when he said if he goes with the 340 he will take it apart but just have machine shop build it. Not that he's never built a motor before. 48+ years wrenching I'd hate to guess the number of engines and trannys he's built.