For the original "poster" and those with interest:

There have been some very good posts from fellow R5P7 users in the above threads. What you have read are some of the variables associated with the various engine builds throughout Nascar in the late 90's - 2007.
If you're like any of us, and curious to learn, then I say invest some green and give it a try! There are more and more people learning this engine every year, and a simple PM and a phone call to one another helps every time. Heck, that's how I met Leon and quite a few others (not on this site).
In my closing remarks, I see guys on here drop 10's of thousands today on stuff that was ancient technology 25 years ago and think nothing of it. I say, buy a used motor, see if it's your thing, and then truly learn it as you go and freshen it after 250 passes (that's right, after it's already had 500 miles on it)! My last suggestion, please find a friend or attain the skill yourself to perform some machining capabilities. A nice mill and a metal lathe will save you thousands!!

Mike