Many thanks, guys! Certainly is a bummer about the pump, but I knew that was a risk when I bought it.
Regardless, I'm getting excited!!
Gabe- yep, building it and tuning it myself. I plan to start ordering parts in the next week or two, and start pulling everything apart bit-by-bit in the coming weekends where I can find the time.
Christian- I'm honestly a little surprised that you'd need a vacuum pump with an off-the-shelf BTR II cam. I've never heard of that need before. I understand this phase of my build will only get me to the 800+/- SAE range on 93, which will put me right up against the limit of the LT4 injectors based on other builds I've seen, and posts from Katech. Next year, I'll do the fuel system and feed it the corn!