[hunter01]

This used to be the cheapest way to go to get the most bang for your buck, I don't know if it still is. Check to see how much for a target motor or short block from GM. You can get them bored .30 or .40 over with the pistons and crank installed. Then have the heads done and the intake boiled out and cleaned. Add a gasket set, timing chain set, a mild cam and lifters, new water pump, belts and hoses, dist cap and rotor, plugs and wires, air, fuel and oil filters. (I think that's everything.) If you can reassemble the motor yourself you should be able to save some money, and with the block bored over and the cam you should see more horespower. Just to note, sometimes pairing a new engine with a used transmission results in having to replace the transmission not long after.