Yeah, it can be a great deal.
If yourein the market for an engine conversion and looking at LS3's etc whats another 4 grand or so?
On the flip side. Reports are from people tuning these things that there isnt much left in them. The blower is quite small in comparison to others on the market like the Heartbeat. So you cant squeeze much more out of it via a pulley change and a tune. You have to start opening up the engine.
So you have to weigh up the prices and power gains.
Would it be worth say transplanting one into an LS1 powered car? Maybe. Spend 11k + labor and other parts and youll probably make the same power via a larger supercharger or turbo kit + anything else you want to throw at it with your change.
An LS3 will run you around 7 grand, what could you do with that 4? LSX?
So yeah, they do SOUND cheap. But without looking at what comes with the car - electronics, driveline upgrades etc it may not be worth it.