This is my opinion from speaking to a few buyer's of crate engines is that they have gotten much better in the past couple of years. I prefer the machine shop route but I would consider buying a crate 392 since the forged pistons where added. Some times the little parts can really add up on a machine shop rebuild. Distributor, balancer,
oil pan, valve covers, flywheel. Weigh your options. I just prefer my engine builder no matter what the cost. I have a rebuilt shortblock with Heads, cam and intake and my builder did an excellant job and we have lunch every week.
later
dennis