I can only wish now that I had bought a pre built short block. I bought my stroker kit (crank, rods, pistons, and all bearings) with a 4340 forged eagle crank for $1480. I then spent another 1470 to have the stock block machined, cam indexed, rotating assembly balanced (most exspensive part) and the whole shortblock assembled. I now have a motor that has the potential to make some SERIOUS power but...I'm at the limits of my stock block...and that SUCKS. If you're looking to stay around or under 500rwhp, use your stock block but if you want more one day...build the HELL outta the bottom end with a good block (Dart, R302, or Man o War/worlds). Mexican and Sportsman blocks are sort of a gamble. Some are successful and some are. Main girdles only hold your broken crap in a nice neat pile rather than all over the track. SO...if you walk in to a machine shop with EVERYTHING (like I did) then you're look at around 1300-1400 bucks. Hope that helps.