You're best, and probably smartest option is to find a donor engine from a car or truck 5.3/5.7/6.0 with anywhere under 100k on it. Then use the rest of your budget on new main and rod bearing/rod bolts/gaskets and seals/cam/and valvetrain. If you do it right and smart you can build a nice bulletproof setup for around 1000-1500. Ls's are well engineered engines that, due to proper oiling, general maintenance, roller cams, and new better materials, they can have nearly no wear after even 150k miles. You should be able to freshen up a donor engine and throw it in for a long time with no issues.

 

I just got off the phone with my engine builder and told him to track down a good 6.0. Im going to have him put in the gm hot cam, ls2 chain, ls7 lifters, ls2 lifter trays and m295 oil pump I got as replacements for my ls1. I think i'm also going to get a set of bolt on ready 243 heads from him for $450 depending on the price for the 6.0. That should have me good to go for a while i hope. Thanks again for all the help everyone

 

That will work