If no one makes the parts, then how are you going to build it?

Several people were offended when I wrote about some cool Buick models and recommended they swap in a Chevy engine to go real fast. I did this for one reason only-parts availability. Like it or not- although the popularity of the new GM LS motors is rising, the small and big block Chevy is the easiest and cheapest way for a quick power infusion into any GM chassis. I have nothing against Buicks but consider this- "Real" Pontiac engines have been out of production since 1978. Yet there is a ton of aftermarket support-Edelbrock and Kauffman offer aluminum heads, Scat and Eagle- offer stroker cranks and rotating assemblies. Butler performance and KRE offer aftermarket blocks. Ditto for Mopar "B" and "RB" engines-i.e. 383,400 and 440. Yet Edelbrock and Indy racing offer aftermarket heads, Eagle offers stroker cranks, etc. The factory-Mopar performance offers cams and intakes-even replacement "Six-Pack" setups and a 500 inch 440 based crate engine. The 455 Olds has been out of production since 1976, and the 350 / 403 since 1980. Yet, because of their immense popularity in boat racing- there is a ton of speed equipment available for the 455 Olds-including Edelbrock aluminum heads. Because so many Pontiac Firebirds were built with 403 Olds engines in the late '70's-there's plenty for them. And the 350 /403 are the same family. The Ford "FE" series was discontinued after 1976. Yet there is aftermarket aluminum heads, intakes, cams, stroker cranks, etc to build a 390 or 428, or even a 447 inch stroker. The 455 Buick was discontinued in 1976 and the 350 in 1977. Edelbrock makes Perfromer intakes for the 430 and 455s, but nothing for the 350s. Kenne-Bell and T/A performance make some parts-but unlike a Chevy or Pontiac or Ford or Mopar-you can't just call Summitt Racing and order everything you need to build a killer motor. Spare me the letters from the people with 10 second GSX's or Grand Nationals-Yes it can be done-but not easily or cheaply. If you want say-a 12 second street machine-where you need at least 400 hp-you can do that with a small-block Chevy for less than 3 grand with the right combination of parts ( Super Chevy did it for $2,600 with a Pep Boys short block, GMPP Vortec heads, and an Edelbrock intake and cam ) . Hemmings Muscle Machines built a 425hp 400 Pontiac for $3,200. Try to build a 400+ hp Buick for twice that. And I mean buying the parts retail-Don't give me a story like the magazine "Budget Builds"- "Hey-what about that set of ported and polished Brodix aluminum heads that "We ALMOST FORGOT WE HAD!"  "Don's brother just "Happened to have" a complete Six-Pack setup he took off his totaled Super Bee. He not only helped us install it, he bought the beer."  Puhleeeze. I was just saying that a Skylark might be a good buy if you can't find a Chevelle or GTO, and if you did swap in a 502 crate motor, it's not like your messing up a numbers-matching Judge. And even if you do have Donald Trump's bank account-all thing being equal-whether you spend $1,500 or $15,000, a 350 or 455 Buick is never going to make the same amount of power as a 350 or 454 Chevy for the same money. That's all I was saying. Mastermind