[Sizzler]

Are you absolutely set on a Shelby block?

The Genesis aluminum block will save you thousands.
Using non-Shelby aluminum heads will also save you a grand.

A stock, or at least non-billet crank will save you thousands.

You don't need billet rods either, and who'll see them?

You should be able to build an aluminum FE within your budget,
but why? For street use? Just using a good set of aluminum
heads and an aluminum intake will save you a hundred pounds
of weight. For the street, the weight savings from an aluminum
block wouldn't really be of any real benefit, just cost.

Going with a thick-walled new Genesis iron block will save you
thousands more. And once the block is painted (Ford blue?),
who'll know?