I've priced a couple small blocks this week, and depending on what you start with, around me, the costs were around $4000-6500. Depending on cubic inch and options. None of these are less than 400hp tho.
The $4000-6500 number is well above what I would anticipate putting into my engine. I like the idea of a well machined engine but it will depend on the price. Of course I'm not shooting for 400 hp and I assume that price includes a lot of performance parts, which I don't likely need to acheive my goal. I'll have to see what the local guy says, and also see if I can do the assembling myself or if the machinst wants to assemble. Dollars spent is not my absolute bottom line, but I do get satisfaction from being very cost effective.
I may be off base, but whats on my mind right now is heads. It's apparent a good head rebuild is important and of course will cost some. It seems head technology has advanced, perhaps more than anything else for a carburated engine. Someone mentioned the old heads lack the newer mixing design. I've also been reading about "quench" with respect to compressioin and avoidance of detonation. I wonder if the newer aftermarket heads are designed with advantages that would make it worthwhile to put the money I would spend on a head rebuild toward an aftermarket head of newer design.