Looking for the right path!

My opinion is build your short block with high quality components and spot on machine work. With a good strong bottom end you can always add power later. I would use a quality forged piston around 10 to 1 for a street motor. Heads, intakes, cams etc can always be changed later as your thirst for power increases.

I like forged pistons because if I ever decided to run nitrous for a quick 150 horsepower jump, the motor will survive. On a budget I would most likely run a hydraulic flat tappet cam. Changing to roller is nice but you have the expense of different pushrods, adjustable rocker arms, distributer drive gear, sometimes oil system modifications.

Of course if you want to build a full roller motor with aluminum heads and other exotic components then it will cost you.