I hope the OP does do whatever works FOR HIM. But he really never considered more than ONE option: crate or built by another person. I can't see much of a difference there.
If there is no difference including price, I'll take crate.
All the rest of your post is all well known by 100's of stovebolters who have built many engines and some would be considered professional as you say you are not. They have had training, done many, many engines and have gotten paid to do it. They already know what you can do for HP, what it cost, and the difficulty factor. Most of us have known about headers and intakes, carbs, etc as a way in get HP probably back before you were born, sonny.
Seriously Farb, I get your point but your point is getting "dull". I don't know what a "farmer hot rod" is but don't explain it.
