In my neighborhood a base model new 'vette is nearly $50,000 and a loaded Z06 is past $70,000. The LS7 motor that powers that Z06 is nearly $15,000 as a crate motor.
I like the 500 Caddy and would say its the best option under SOME circumstances. If I had $15K to spend it may not be my first choice but then it would really depend on what else I had to fit into my budget.
With that much cash to spend on a motor for a fast pickup I'd be thinking about a BBC 572 or 640. If you have to buy a transmission too, a built 4L80 is two to three thousand or more which would eliminate some of the motor options.
If your budget is for the entire vehicle including wheels and tires and rear axle, I'd put more of that money into hooking the power to the ground and buy a motor like the Caddy. With the right suspension, wheels and tires, a stock Cad motor is going to be pretty fast stop light to stop light.
Maybe not the way to approach a quarter mile racer, but real fast for short sprints. If I had $15,000 to spend on a stop light racer I'd probably buy a C5 'vette, but if you haven't already figured it out, I am a Corvette fan and drive one almost every day.
