Budget D100 360 Suggestions
While I dont want to interrupt you guys reenacting West Side Story, let me clarify I have another business that sells Wrangler magnum conversions and since 98, I have had lots of guys doing this install in NY, NJ, MD, RI and Maine. Recently, a customer in Upstate NY bought a 98 Ram for $800, another in NJ got a Dakota for $1000 and a guy in RI picked up a 97 Ram for $700 then got a Durango for $900. Didnt mention crossing any toll bridges but if you live on an island I guess thats par for the course.
GOOD machine work is never cheap, at least not on the West Coast but $185 for honing guides and cutting seats isnt out of line from what I have seen. There are guys in town that would do it for $125 vut you get car lot quality.
The only draw back of the Magnum is intake selection and cam expense.
A refrains isn't always do able for all builds and purchasing EQ (or whatever) heads with a drilled LA pattern isn't always the answer. But it does seem to be for you.
You can get a Magnum x wind for $200 and Magnum AG for $25 more than LA. A regrind cam is less than LA if you consider you can reuse the roller lifters. We do like EQ heads and if you consider the price of building a set of LA heads its probably cheaper to get EQ's. I feel the draw backs of magnum are far outweighed by the advantages. You are free to build whatever you like and the discussion was OP on West Coast looking at inexpensive small block.
If you switch to a magnum it will just cost more for little gain because when you go to freshen it up you'll find the heads are cracked and all the parts cost twice as much.
Not all heads are cracked, and how is it all the parts cost 2x if many interchange? I disagree with you on the cost as its much cheaper to get 400 HP from a magnum than an LA. I am beginning to understand why so many here are reluctant to use a magnum....a Chevy guy would never embrace a mid 70's 350 over an LS.
OK, you guys can now pick up your switchblades and continue with your rumble.