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

Yes, it can be done. No - you don't have to run MRL's hydraulic rollers or have a 900rpm idle speed, or run your vacuum advance off manifold vaccum. Yes, you will need to spend money on good parts and really good machining. That beign said, dollar for dollar, a longer stroke engine will be within $1000 of the 440's cost, and make a lot more torque at a lower and more usable rpm range. So if you're going to spend...