All you need to do with the block is put a set of ARP main studs in it and have the main line honed. You don't need a girdle or special main caps. Save your money and put it somewhere that will make a difference. Best place to spend money would be on a ported intake. I'd start off with a port matched Trick Flow intake from Hughes and then if the budget allows have Wilson Manifolds do a full competition port job. Put a 4 to 1 merge spacer between the Sniper and the intake manifold and you'll be good to go.
The critical item is the camshaft. It has to be big enough to carry the power upstairs but not too big or else the street manners really suffer. I've been going smaller and smaller with my street cams lately. The 496 that I just finished has a 239/245 cam in it with 0.600 lift. That engine made 630 ft-lbs of torque and 610 hp and it has a very smooth idle. That was with TF 240 heads, a ported Trick Flow intake and a Sniper. The cam was designed by Dwayne at Porter Racing Heads.
I used stainless rocker arms, conical valve springs and Gaterman lifters. These parts are more expensive and require additional TLC over more conventional parts but I think you have to use good stuff in the right spots to get the the results.
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