That's not entirely true...
An LS-2 willrun anywhere in the neighborhood of $8000-$9000
A VG30DETT will run you ~$1500
to make ~600hp on a DETT engine, you will need
-Engine, transmission ($1500)
-bigass fuelpump ($300)
-some sort of engine managment be it a piggyback or full stand alone ($500-$3500)
-injectors ($450)
-turbos ($800-$2000)
-intercooler or coolers ($200-$800)
-exhaust manifolds (depends on if you can weld)
-exhaust (again, can you weld?)
-intake piping
-fuel lines, fittings, filters, fasteners, engine mounts, fuel pressure regulator, gauges, an uncut DETT wiring harness, ECU, and a host of other crap.
If you can weld, and have some parts from a T66 SOHC VG build (

) you had some good friends, some killer hook-ups, and a load of time and a daily driver, could probably do it all for about $4000.
In fact, this is what I'm doing right now. The DETT can make 600+ WHP on stock internals (everything is forged) and the transmission is bulletproof. The redline on the DETT is 7K and the head design makes for a lot mo power. Is it a bitch? yes. Is it for any monkey with hand tools? NO. Can it be done? It has before, and will be again. A 2600 LB car (gutted) with 600whp! YEAH!