Ahh, ok. I was wondering because we see a lot of 602 and 604 crates in the IMCA racing we cover and I knew the 604 was around $5500. I was confused as to why the 602 would be more expensive which led to my quick Google. I see where you're coming from now. Sorry about that!

No worries. I'm glad to see non-wing sprints growing, but I just don't agree with crates as being the sole engine of a class. Crates lead to lazy tech and often boring racing. UMSS I think offers a better plan for entry level/sportsman non-wing sprints. Good racing and cheaper initial cost.

A complete race ready engine for less then $8000.00 brand new, heck that sounds quite inexpensive in todays market.
I'm not saying that crate engine are the only way to go but they have a place in economical racing.
I'm sure that theres folks out there that can build a great engine for less, I'm also sure that most racers will end up spending more in the long run by building they're own engines. After the second or third engine failure the cars end up parked. I've known very few guys that could build they're own engines and have them last. Sure you could have a pro build your "inexpensive" engine, after labor it will be very expensive.
They run 602's in the mods around here and they tend to be bullet proof. You can pickup a completely race ready used engine for under $3000.00 use it for two seasons and get 1500.00 for it. You mention changing pans and such but once a series gets going down the road there will be complete used engines available.
Take the same guys two races, one using 400 h.p cars the other using 800 h.p cars. The racing would most likely be just as good with the 400 hp cars on a good sprintcar track. I'm not saying you guys shouldn't want and get 410 racing, but I'd love to have the crate cars if they were here to get thing bump started.
As for boring crate racing it would still be far better then any winged racing and quite a bit less expensive.

Crates have a place, for those who are unable to build there own, but why should I be penalized because I bothered to learn how to build an engine. Lastly, it’s against the rules to run just any used 602, you have to use the one they fixed up with their seals, no bargain shopping allowed.

Why would you feel penalized if you couldn't run your home built engine in a crate class ? It is called a crate class for a reason. You assume that because someone would chose to run a crate class that they cant build a engine, how can you be sure that half the guys running a crate class couldn't build a better engine then you ? Maybe they have lives out side of racing and would rather buy a inexpensive engine and have some fun racing instead of being a full time mechanic after they come home from a full time job.
If like you stated you have to use a engine sealed by the same body that runs the races, well that makes no sense. Why couldn't a sealed factory engine be used ? If they unseal your engine, inspect then reseal it makes no sense unless the seals can be tampered with. If you cant just go out buy a used sealed engine and race then it seems like they are shooting themselves in the foot right off the bat.
Just wondering where you run your homebuilt engines ?

You've jumped in the middle of a conversation I was having with someone else. We were discussing different approaches to a feeder non-wing class. I prefer a more "Free Market" approach as to a "Collectivist" approach like, "Crate Only". An inclusive class, rather than an exclusive class, ALL makes are welcome. Allow those who don't know or don't wish to know how to build an engine, to run a crate. For those of us who can take a bother, to build their own. UMSS is a good example of the "Free Market" approach.