I certainly understand the cost point, but my thought is now all the other 'Big port' alternatives also cost more (compared to stock or 'staock-ish, i.e, non-offset valvetrain) in terms of CNC porting and custom rocker gear as well. there's still a price gap...it's just probably not as much as in years past. if you consider a B1 like a scaled-up W8 for a big block it's much closer to modern race technology becuse it's not limited to the conventional valve layout.

To someone who just wants to run a set of Eddies or 440 source "stealths", of course the price difference is monumental...but by the time you consider/compare to CNC victors or -1's, (they also need custom offset valvetrain) well there's still a cost premium...it's just nowhere near as much as in years past, or as compared to other 'Max flow/hp' heads that weren't even in the game when the B1 came out.

And if you're building/considering a stroker, you'll need custom pistons anyway...so at that point if you opt for B1 specific valve notches it doesn't really cost considerably more from that shortblock perspective.