[dragracerray]

Richie lots of us here have started with passenger car blocks. Yes they are more expensive. Personally I have used passenger car blocks for 15 years. Racing blocks could have lasted that long and longer (racing blocks are made from harder material so your ring seal will last longer). I assume you will be racing for more years like most of us.
-4 bolt caps-$300
-4 bolt ARP bolts-$50
-line hone-$200
-Dart SHP block (can be bought cheaper than Jegs or Summit)-$1500

so
$1500 minus $550 is $950. $950 over 10 years is $95/year. It is an investment you will not regret,
Ray
PS we have been using a 2 bolt BBC block in SS for years without failure.