Rover V8 Build, $5000 Budget

[tr8todd]

FWIW, I just got back my 4.6 short block.  Picked up the whole 2003 LR it was in for $250 and got most of that back on scrap value, so buy in was just the time I spent.  Block had 2 out of round cylinders and needed to be bored.  So did the 4.0 block I dropped off at the same time.  Could not find oversized pistons for a 4.0 so that block is wrapped up and stashed in the garage.  Found +.020 4.6L pistons in England with rings delivered to me for $350.  Machine shop services and a new camshaft came in at around $1800.  Estimate to do the heads with porting, Chevy 305/350 springs, cut the spring pockets for the new springs, and install new larger Vitesse valves was $1400.  All in I should be right around $4K for a basic rebuild with a cam and head work just for the long block.  Still need flywheel, tranny, clutch, bell housing, headers, intake, oil pan, and a bunch of other stuff.  Luckily I have most of those parts.  Further confirms my premise that if you are starting from scratch, just go get a LS variant.  The LS3 package thats in my other current project was a $9800 buy in for everything.  It was in a wrecked 2010 Camaro SS with 11,000 miles.  Lost track of the parts I have sold off to recoup my initial outlay, but in the end, the LS swap is going to be about the same price as the 4.6 swap, and make close to twice the HP with an indestructible 6 speed transmission.