Questions about a 2006 5.7

Everyone seems to get caught up in the VVT thing. Stock for stock, yes, they are superior. The thing most people won't tell you is, when you do a major cam swap on an Eagle, you have to lock the VVT anyway!!!! Seems to me it would be easier(and cheaper) to do an early short block, put on the newer heads, and have the best of both worlds. Lot less mass spinning on the front of an early cam. Able to run a two row chain. Although, I haven't heard of any Eagle chain failures. Well, the early Eagle tensioner and guides were questionable. But, so were the early tensioners. Splitting hairs cuz that **** gets replaced anyway. If doing a mild cam swap in an Eagle where you can still utilize the VVT? Then, yes, they are really good. But, even in the Almighty Engine Masters episode, did they not lock out the VVT? I think they did....... Hmmm....