Well, there are a bunch of different ways to get things together. For longevity, the 451 makes the most sense to me. I've found over time that unless you are very skilled, and have the right machinery handy, tyring to take the rock bottom price way leads to extra spending in other areas, and the end result costs more than rock bottom, and performs less than stellar. I've built several 451s. the first one was a forged 440 crank core, Eagle rods, and J&E pistons. This was in '98. At that time, 440Source wasnt even a tipsy idea on a cockatil napkin. So you hade either stock parts, or expensive parts. Nothing much in the middle. The last one I did was just before Brandon intruduced the B wedge counterweight cranks with the chevy size rod journals. So that crank needed the counterweights turned down to fit. Now, it doesn't make sense to use a factory crank, unless it's a very basic truck engine. Now, I find his balancing to be not quite as detailed as I want it, so the kit if it was oredered tomorrow would be $1200 plus shipping with no options. I dont like full grooved mains, and I dont like total seal rings very much. So I would order the upgraded C&A rings, and not the full grooved bearings. In any case, it's less than $1400 plus shipping. To turn, polish, and clearance a stock crank, you're looking at $300. Rods, $300 with small ends bushed, and pistons will run $550 for a set of Diamonds. You dont have rings or bearings yet, and you're workling with stock stregth rods and crank. It's smart money to buy the kit IMO. There is a note about chamfering the bearings. You can do it by hand very easy if you're careful and steady. If you are looking for a stock look, the new MP aluminum "452" heads (made by Edelbrock) may be a nicer choice. More $$ by a little, but they will look more factory painted than the milled signature on RPM heads...lol. And they fit with manifolds better. Trust CP and his judgement on over-boring. I bought a good sonic tester, and learned how to use it. Brandon doesnt, and a statement like ".060 over with no problem" is a blanket statement, and not very accurate when you go beyond factory sizes. If you stay with 3.75 stroke, you're basically building a lightweight, compact, 440. Cam it that way. I dont like MP cams. They are not made well anymore, and much better designs are out there. CP likes Engle Cams. Price wise and quality wise, Engle is pretty good. Very good in fact. Typical shelf grinds from Comp would be my next choice. With any shaft rocker (non adjustable) type, your builder will have to check lifter preload very carefully. Because if it's off, you cant fix it easy...lol. I dont think you'll be disapointed, and a 451 will last for years if built right.
