How easy to get 500 horsepower w/ stock stroke 440?

They go for about $3K, I think.

Nobody's saying you shouldn't select the right parts for the build, but what is being said is simply if you build a 440 to make a bona fide 500hp, it'll be healthy, and the efficiency of the engine won't mean **** if you can't keep your foot out of it...and that's why you built a 500hp engine anyway, isn't it?

Realistically though, even if all the pegs fall into place and you can keep the revs under 2500 to include cruising RPM, then MAYBE you can expect 17 mpg or so.

EDIT: to put it in perspective, my '72 Scamp with a well worn but good running 5.2 and 904 (maybe 225hp?), with highway gears managed 17-18 driving from Abilene to Houston. Average RPM was 2300-2500 ~70-75mph.