Crate vs built or vice versa

[davidh]

Okay, lets be fair and keep this to the 350 $1295 engine from GM. As some of you read TX's firefighter's engine gave up but it was built for $500. For example I have built 350's for around $650 while my buddy's GM 250hp didn't have near the power, similar equiped, 4bbl, duals, same style pick up. Of course mine had a little cam in it. He even mentioned how does your truck have so much more get and go than mine?
I think for $1300-1500 you could build a nice 350, hyperutectic pistons, balanced, decent cam, find some 882 heads have them worked on a little and it would run circles on that crate 350. The crate motor's advantage would be the warranty. I get the notion in this forum sometimes that anything built is not as good as a "crate" motor. I disagree on some motors and agree with others.

Let's have the debate. you have $1500 to spend on a 350 what would you do and why. Let's keep this to half ton truck that could be used as a daily driver and occasional towning. NO a 292 Comp cam is not a daily driver either but something with 270 or less duration, dual plane intake, stock manifolds.