The core cost ain't bad around here, $500 gets a good early 5.7, and parts availability is not bad, eagle or even apache heads are way cheaper than edelbrock SB heads... if your willing to spend $1000 on an intake, $1000 on headers, $2000 on EFI or IGN/harness/carb, $500 for an oil pan, got to get a new flywheel/flexplate, none of you SB accessories bolt on, the stroker kits are about $500 more and so on and so on...