cudasteve, budget build/500 hp is 2 phrases that should not be combined as assembly goal. Strokers make tq not alot of HP. Main focus is on heads and cfm flow. You need around 5700/6000 rpms with a good 4 inch stroke crank. Then 295/300 cff head flow to have a chance at the 500 hp goal, with matching cam,intake, and carb. Plus a 360 block stroker crank is free cubes. 500 hp sm blk engines have to work harder to last than bb engines. You are wanting a pump gas 500 hp engine I suppose. Do not base your build on just a cheap priced cast crank. A quality piece goes a long way, and wins more races.