10's on $5,000 ?

Correct. BUT if you don't have the ET slip you want, how do you know what the issue is? If you know you have 500 HP and the car runs like it has 300, you know where to go. If you have 800 HP and the car runs like it has 600, then you know where to look.

If you don't have measured power, everything is a guess, at best.
you are correct. I can't argue with anything you said. But, I'm just not going to load up a engine, drive 1 hr, spend the day and $$$$, then return home. Usually I end up impressed at what the ET is, and perhaps I'm still leaving something on the table. For example, my 318 did exactly to the "T" on the ET, and 1 mph faster on the mph than what I intended it to do. My 360 has exceeded my expectations. Now this build??? who knows, because who knows what parts I'll find, what car I'll find.