GLWS.. Last shortblock I bought was shipped from NY to KS. Shipping was not that bad $120.. Was in a self made crate and shipped to a business with a loading dock tho..
This may sound stupid. If someone wanted a forged motor would this be a good option? Buy the block, build it up, and then swap everything over and drop it in? You then sell your stock block to recoup some costs.
Its an option. that is the reverse of what I did. You just have to price it out. Some people go at it from the direction you suggest. Buy the block, put in the forged parts and build it the way you want.