[mike leech]

I got a lot of cleaning and prep done today. For tonight will mostly concentrate on the short block.

Obviously an aftermarket block is required. Not as obviously Iron blocks make more power than aluminum blocks. It's the way it is. I know there are some that I believe or fantasize about one brand of aftermarket block that makes just as much power in aluminum as Iron blocks do. That's just not going to happen.

Just because an aftermarket bought cost $3000 does not mean it's ready to run for an engine like this. I can tell you to absolutely expect to pay another $2000 in machine work. And the block will need a lot of prep. Big camp tunnels but a big lifters with bushings are required. You're not getting anywhere near this power level without it.

The block I am running has been repaired a couple of times unfortunately. It's all part of the deal though. EVERYONE running at this level has had engine failures for one reason or another. Sometimes parts just break. If you have to save for 10 years to build an engine like this you should probably not build an engine like this. It's going to require maintenance and parts are going to break.
If you're not handy unable to fabricate, weld, use instruments and assemble engines this is going to get extremely expensive. It's time-consuming and tedious work. And the parts are expensive. If you're paying someone else to do that for you expect it to cost a lot.