Aluminum small block pros/cons?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by madmaxx

How much is a complete RELIABLE FE built to 550 hp and 550 ft-lbs, Iron block?

It's going to be over $10k for a 390 and, depending on whether it's a 428 or 427, whether it's an original iron block, or a new block, and what you have in it, you're going to get closer to $15k, or even $20k for a top of the line build. No, I'm not kidding. And even for a "top o' the line" FE build there's a tremendous amount of luck involved on whether it runs the way you want, doesn't leak, and doesn't break all the time.

EDIT: A lot of builders will undercut Keith Craft and still do a fine job, but his prices will at least give you a feel for what you're dealing with: http://www.keithcraft.com/ourengines4.html