Mavman, your response is a bit like nailing jello to the wall.
For lifters, at $600 a set the Crowers have taken themselves out of the running. But price alone can't be the determining factor, can it? The Comp 838-16 are at the $350 mark, and the Howards are over $100 less than that.
Kind of the same on rockers, Crowers are BIG $$$, Crane Golds are in the mix, Lunati's are up around $400, the Howards are around $230, and the Millers are $160. I too have heard good reviews of the Millers from multiple sources, and that makes the decision difficult as well. They are almost too inexpensive, y' know?
These are all names that have always held a solid reputation for quality speed parts, so wherein lies the major difference?
My heads are not the best on the planet, some say they are 2nd only to the worst. I have a mix of good and so-so parts in them: SBI stainless 1 pc valves, Comp springs, Comp titanium retainers and Comp keepers.
At my anticipated power level I just can't justify the uber $$ for everything, although I am going to tie it all together with Smith Bros. push rods, and they ain't exactly free.
At this point I am leaning more towards the Howards and plan to give them a call tomorrow and solicit their 'unbiased' opinion. All things being equal, $500 for rockers and lifters vs $700 is pretty substantial, to me.
Kind of a rambling post and probably didn't make much sense, but it's getting late and I'm tired.
