[Sizzler]

The simple answer is that you're into the Apples vs Oranges thing.

598 cubic inch engines being compared to an FE?? Come on.

The biggest FE you'll get is around 527 cubic inches, and most will be in the high 400 cubic inch range. Displacement counts too you know, not just compression. You're comparing an engine with something like 20% more displacement than an FE, and complaining about the FE's slightly lower HP??

If you want a cheap Ford 598 engine I think you want to be looking at a Lima-series engine, not an FE.

Costs? I don't think the offerings from KC and others are out of line, price-wise, with what you're seeing for the bow-tie varieties.