CNC-Dude:
Your observations seem to be spot on and I think we end up on the same page, if perhaps from somewhat different directions.
If Randy (or anyone else) can come up with a Chevy head that delivers the performance you speak of at the CI price point, and that allows the buyer to use his existing intake, exhaust, valve train, and valve cover if he chooses to do so (to keep the "cost of ownership" at an affordable level), there's no doubt you would be looking at a winner.
An interesting aside is to look at the Hesco aftermarket aluminum head for the AMC/Jeep inline sixes priced at $1,995 ready to bolt on. There is apparently a lively enough market over in that camp and the pricing isn't too far off what CI's Ford small six head trades for. So you would sure think a comparable Chevy head at the CI price point should be doable.
