Harris,
This won't be a lot of help but a friend of mine is looking to replace his stock 302 with one that has a little more power and he told me he has checked with PAW and Jegs. I think he said PAW offers a long and short block kit and Jegs offers a long block and short block already assembled and Jeg's prices are in the range you stated. He was asking me about the GT-40 heads that come on the assembled long block and I think after talking to all of them he has decided to get the PAW kit and put it together. I believe the PAW kit was in the $1,600 dollar range and you choose your cam and such when you order it. And I am sure they don't warranty them either. Sorry I can't be of more help.
Ron
