Thanks for the replies guys.
To answer a few questions...
I plan to keep the project under wraps until it's near completion. Its a two part build, on part will be done shortly, the other will take another year or so.
Rob (GMKILLR)- That's what I was worried about, splitting it at around 350rwhp. I was thinking of girdling it like Mootang said just to be on the safe side in case I ever turn the wick up.
Joe- I was going to go with the big bore block, but there is a reason that I will divulge later as to why I didn't. Mine is the standard 4.000 block. The thought of a 363CI crossed my mind more times than you'll ever know!
Adam- as I just mentioned to Joe, there is a reason why I went this route, but I don't want to discuss why just yet. I like your combo.
As for the baby seat, the simpson seat is already here waiting to go into the car thanks to Onebad95!
Will- that looks good! What pan are you using? I hear the canton's have a clearance issue with the rear most main cap and many recommend the milidon. What size of turbo is that in your pic and what did it replace? What internals do you have and what are your planned power numbers?
Illwood- Actually I hope to have the cash to do a 6pt sometime this summer so I can race it soon after breaking the shortblock in. Until I put the bar in I won't be allowed to race at any of the fast tracks around here.
Troy- thanks for helping me get the block out of the back of my escape, I may need a hand getting it back in here soon so that I can take it to the engine builder.
Guero- Kevin sells the blocks for around $1899, but he tries to help out as much as he can when buying a "package" from him and the nice thing is that he sells EVERYTHING from the block/crank/rods to heads, flywheels, etc. so he's a one stop shop. He has been EXTREMELY helpful to me in getting this project underway and I can't recommend him enough.
Moneypit- there are several reasons why I went with the 8.2 deck. The main is that I can easily make more power than I ever intend to with this foundation. Also, my other parts I have for the car would be way too small for anything bigger than the cubes I can get from an 8.2" deck and I can't afford to build another combo from the ground up. I'll also be saving a good bit of weight as well, and that is definitely a factor for me concidering I'm adding roughly 80lbs to the car with the block alone, I'd be afraid to see how much more the 351 sportsman would weigh.
Jesse- I'm sure you'll be done before me! I am hoping to have the shortblock done or nearly done by the time the baby is born.
Speaking of the baby, I have to thank my wife for the direction in which this buildup is heading. I was going to just re-ring my old shortblock, repair the heads, and put it back together but she told me that if I ever wanted to do anything more than that with the car that i should do it now before the baby is born. I don't know if she regrets that yet or not, but I don't think she meant for me to go as far with this newest project as I am planning either!
Hopefully more parts will arrive in the next few days, when they do pics will follow.