I figure since most places the guys on here are ordering from, want an arm & a leg for a good motor. I will go with a local machine shop that my local mechanic suggested. Thanks, for throwing more options out. That's my main concern is weighing out all my options.Everyone here is gonna give you the advice of what they know best. What if you don't want a motor from the places they recommended? What if you want something different? In the end its your money and your car. Do whatever you want. Personally, i really don't see anything wrong with the FRPP crate motor. Its a good, decent turnkey crate motor for a pretty decent price, especially if you don't plan on running forced induction. Plus, the GT40 aluminum heads aren't really all that bad, it just won't be ideal for certain applications where you would need heads that flow better. Top it off with your current front accessories, explorer intake, 24#injectors, and mass air meter and you're good to go.
But its your car, and your money in the end. For something like this, personally, i would research all avenues before spending any money.
While I can't contest to it being a great motor or not, since I haven't owned or know anyone running one. I would ask for what you get, would you get the FRRP 306 or spend the extra $800 for a specific compression, aftermarket aluminum headed, custom grind camshaft, custom built motor?
I don't want to factor in the EFI just yet, because that will involve intake (lower/upper), rails, injectors, filter, electric high pressure fuel pump (in-tank/in-line, sump), efi tank (if in-tank), harness, computer, etc. That will have to come at a later time. Right now the benefits of the EFI don't out weight the cost. Sure, if I piece parts together over time I can get that stuff cheap, whatever isn't NIB. Sorry if I'm ranting it's late. There is a gt40 motor from oil pan to air filter w/ headers for around $1200 on ebay.