I don't know about cheap parts and better performance for the buck for imports. I built a 500+ hp 454 that counting machining cost a little over 5300. That counts chrome valve covers, air filter housing, waterpump, and chrome braided coolant, fuel, and oil lines. Try rebuild any import engine of any displaced putting out that hp for that cost. Also the transmission cost me 800 to have rebuilt. Counting 600 for the driveshaft, 900 for a old caddy rear axle, 300 for 3.83 gears my friend was in a little over 6000 for the whole powertrain. There is no import of any displacement that you can get that power out of, with the drivetrain built for it, for anywhere near that price. Hell take a B18, rebuild it, put a B16 head on it and slap a big turbo on it for the 500hp and you'll be over 6000 just for the engine work. The nissan SR20 I'm rebuilding will have almost 2000 in to the transmision, clutch and flywheel all said and done to reliably handle 400hp. I think I'll be in over 7000 for the engine when I'm done for 400hp. Now of course I'm talking big displacement differences but still with everything I've seen imports usually end up being much more expensive when looking at performance per dollar. Of course this is in Canada and globally I'm sure things are much different.