Help on 408 build

For a professional engine builder like yourself, I am sure it is bing-bang-boom-done, without a 2nd thought. It's just the matter of the extra $300-400 for the re-balance work, and the need in this application; factory engine ran how many miles with a balance tolerance of +/- 20 to 30 grams? With info, the OP can 'weigh' that part of the cost/benefit situation IMHO.

And, yes, I would for sure have the cylinders re-honed lightly for some set of new rings. All in all, it is not any major re-work, and there's no re-working cylinder/block surface to insure the best seal with thick Cometics, or ARP bolts to try to stabilize a thick head gasket (which I would do for a .125" thick gasket).