Keep an eye out in the Sponsers specials and group purchase section. There are specials on forged engines almost weekly. Or you can watch the for sale section. you can get some sweet deals from guys that get in over their head and try to cut their losses. Some people just decide to go a different route and let motors go for good prices. The last option was how I got my forged 5.7. Just be patient and troll the for sale section and you can get some killer deals.

 

Awesome thanks alot.....

 

I agree, almost every internal i have was bought from a member on this board

 

I bought a few things new. When the serious mods started the best way to afford them is second hand.

 

Ohh i bought everything I have "BRAND NEW IN THE BOX", except for my heads, the bare block, and ported oil pump But they all came from people on this board

 

Yep, overall you will be better off with a 402/408 combo. I ended up paying around $3k and doing the entire build myself. If you need to farm out the assembly and other items you will save money with the complete short block.
Don't get me wrong, the motor runs like a scalded cat. It really is more of a novelty than a cost saver but I do get to fool with folks when they see the 4.8/5.3 block stamp tho.
Also like Blackerado said, if you bore out the 5.3 tell the parts houses you have an LS1. Makes life much easier. Only difference on most parts is the intake seals.