An aluminum BBC is just as expensive as an aluminum Mopar block if not more. A dart block lists for $9700 and the Brodix block starts at $6300 but most would opt for the $8000 Brodix block as a starting point. Now comparing a Mopar steel block to a BBC there is about a $3k difference you can get a Dart Big M for about $3500 but no options and most order additional options when buying one. Last one I got in was $5700 with a few changes, .904" lifters and 55MM cam.
Agreed- was speaking specifically for cast iron. The difference is for the parts that fall somewhere between stock and the nice high end aluminum blocks. The Dart Big M or the Bow Tie blocks are totally ok for the not all out effort 900-ish hp crowd, which is where the only option is the $6500 Callies block for a Mopar, and isn't available in a low deck at all.
I also knew a guy that was making 950-ish on spray for at least 5 years grudge racing with a stock gen VI 454 block, but that isn't any smarter than making similar power with a 440 block!
