I would like for you to stay in the thread. I just located a 198 assembly for $150. Why are you against the idea of a longer rod? You aren't gonna hurt my feelings.
I'm not against it. I like it where I think it can be of use. It all boils down to what engine you are using and what you are doing with it. A longer rod is not always a benefit. Piston speed slows with a long rod. A street engine......or small cube engine for race purposes needs a high piston speed. That's where short rods will benefit. As with everything, there is no right or wrong answer, because it all depends on what you have and what your intended use is.
That said, I would pay somebody good money to be able to tell the difference in the seat of the pants between how a long rod motor and a short rod motor runs, all things equal.