I found a wisco piston that is not to bad on price. Also, found a 060 over Probe, with rings for $400. 454's, at least the IV, 2 piece seal are getting scarce around here. Std bore blocks seem impossible to find. I've been doing a little figuring on this, $400 pistons, $200 to get stk rods done with arp bolts, plus doing a crank with bearings, is going to be around $900. What do you think about some of the kits offered now. I have found 496 kits for a $1000 with cast Scat crank, I beam rods, and a decent piston. Also what are your thoughts on externally balanced? Most kits claim to be balanced, Skip White has them for $1175, balanced with flywheel and balancer. This eng won't see over 6500. All my racing stuff was internal, and used Callies, and stuff like that. I put a forged Eagle set up in my 434 in my chevelle but that's $2000. This is a budget hot rod, but for a couple hundred dollars difference I'd go 496 if it come to that.