[blykins]

Just so you know, I can meet or beat Summit's prices, and if you have a question about something you buy, I touch these parts every single day.

For a lower priced 408, it's hard to beat a Scat 9000 series crank, I-beam rods, and a set of Probe forged pistons.

As for heads, I would give an AFR 205 the nod.

On the cam, don't read the description that any cam manufacturer gives as to what gears are needed, what rpm range it's for, etc. How do they know what displacement you're using? Or heads? Or intake? The same cam in a 351 is going to act TOTALLY different than the same cam in a 408 or 427. I'd be more than happy to recommend a cam for you if you wish.

The link bar lifters are not over $500....more like $385 for a nice set of Morel lifters. With that being said, if your block is already set up for a lifter spider, it's a lot cheaper to go with a set of OEM lifters. In an application like this, either would work perfectly fine.

I would suggest giving an engine builder a call, whether it be me, Keith, Barry, whoever, and making it a one-stop shop, so you know everything will work together without issue. I've tried every head that you've mentioned (including the new 11R heads on a 408), different cams, carbs, intakes, you name it.