There is, actually. To start with, this wasn't going to be my block. A manufacturer who has done multiple engine block designs was making an FE block design and was planning to manufacture it. He contacted me about some design suggestions and I gave him several ideas on how to make the block better and more interesting to the FE community; these design suggestions included the option to machine for a spread bore spacing, and also the option to raise the cam for more stroke. His plan was to be manufacturing prototype blocks by now, and once in production I would be able to distribute them for him. See the original post for more information:
http://fepower.net/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=3943.0Fast forward to now from the original post, and here is the status:
Cylinder heads and intakes: I am moving forward on these, since I have complete control on this design. I hope to release the parts as production items by the end of the year. I should have prototypes on the dyno by mid summer, and will be posting information on them at that time.
Blocks: The block manufacturer has not made a lot of progress. He has incorporated some of my suggestions into the design, but has not finished it, or gone to start machining patterns for the casting. Apparently he has been tied up with other projects. As a result I have been looking at potentially doing the block work myself, but based on his design.
I have been talking to a machine shop that is capable of doing all the machining on an FE block, and in fact is already machining blocks for another application. They have provided me with a tentative quote for getting the machining on a block done, and also doing fixtures, tooling, and programming.
About two months ago I visited two foundries about casting a block design, one for casting in aluminum and the other for casting in cast iron. After providing some information on the design, they were also able to give me a ballpark price for the castings.
Then, a couple of weeks ago I visited the block manufacturer, to see about getting the design changes I wanted made, and purchasing the design of the block. I had a very good meeting with him, and came away from it thinking it was do-able, but also with more questions for the machining outfit.
Moving towards actually going forward with the block has proven to be an iterative process, and I expect more conversations with the machine shop, foundries, and block manufacturer before I pull the trigger on the block for sure. But I'm excited about it, due to the really cool design features that can be built in. If I end up going forward with the block, I think it will be head and shoulders above any other block on the market, in terms of performance potential and flexibility.
I expect by the beginning of June I will either pull the trigger on the block project, or abandon it. If I go forward I will post a LOT more information on the design specifics of the block.