Is it worth the $ to build a 5.9 Magnum (or LA 360) without making it a stroker?

Well one thing I've figured out, you don't need to spin a 5.9/360 SBM to 7000 RPM to make 450 HP considering a built one with decent compression makes 400-450 lb-ft; with decent heads (even EngineQuest "replacement" heads are an upgrade) and cam letting it carry some of that torque past 5500 RPM they'll make plenty of HP. I've learned they aren't as much like the SBC and SBF in that regard, they have a really fat torque curve and don't need to spin nearly as fast as the Brand X engines to make the same amount of power. And they still sound damn good doing it even though they aren't buzzing as high.

BTW I'd be looking at solid-lifter cams if you really want to hit that 7k number, hydraulic setups typically hit trouble around 6200-6500 unless you get fancy with special lifters and valvetrain parts.

EDIT: one more thing lol, that stock beer-barrel Magnum intake is a huge choke point past 5000 RPM or so, going to a high-rise dual-plane alone would probably make a big difference