How many of you would buy an aftermarket block in low deck height. Aluminum, cast iron, up to 4.500 bore size.

I agree, the price is outrageous.
There are pretty nice options for out there for the small block guys.
I will probably see what I can do to make a factory block into big bore with sleeves, I would like to achieve a 4.500 inch bore, I think the only way possible to accomplish it is a 3/32 thick sleeve and hard block it.
How much power are you trying to make? N/A? I'd be interested to see how your experiment turns out.