How did kit price compare to getting complete crate motor or similar out of smashed car?
The bottom line price is higher than I had originally planned, but all-in I should up for $14k, so about the same as a Heartbeat or Harrop setup I guess. Before anyone starts debating the pros and cons of an LSA vs those, I made a conscious decision to try and keep my car as "GM" as I possibly can, and I am not chasing max power, just a nice streetable weekender. This price includes all parts, labour, and tune. This should be an upper limit for anyone planning this because all parts I am getting are new and OEM (pulleys, brackets) or brand name (VCM intake). You can do this cheaper by sourcing parts from ebay and not your local Holden parts desk!!
I got the blower in GM kit form (never used) from Eagle auto parts for $6500, and I am also adding FI Interchiller blower spacer plates, lid spacer, heat blanket, and doing the solid isolator coupling mod. A used one might have been $2k cheaper, but then how has it been treated, probably needs a reco, injectors are an unknown etc. I am happy to spend $2k for peace of mind.
In comparison to a Clubsport, after all mods (inc previous tune and exhaust/CAI) I am probably about $10k ahead, but I figure if I had have gone HSV I would have dropped $10k of mods on that too. Plus, as
@kleanphil says, I couldn't stretch to a clubby financially when I got the SS.