[Excaliber]

The Shelby blocks have definitely got better with time, as the bugs are worked out. Never the less, in my opinion, you would be a fool to have anybody but a well known shop do the required machining on the block. Gessford or KC for instance. They certainly do require machining that is different from an iron block. Personally I would not trust one to a local machine shop. That fact alone will significantly increase the cost of final assembly. Nothing wrong with EITHER CHOICE, original or modern alloy or iron, IF you get it prepped right, by the right people.

There is no way in hell you can build a Shelby block for anywhere near the cost you could build the KC block offered on E-Bay. That's the point, like all things Shelby, your gonna pay the dollars. Thats fine if your going in with eyes wide open and am prepared to spend what you need to.