Car counts up here in WI are staying the same if not growing, its making it an easier transition technically and monetarily for the sportmod guys to move up. I think its been positive for the class overall, I personally would like to see the spoiler gone though to even it up and a spec aluminum head just to see some parity between engine options like there is in the sportmods.
Like a previous poster stated I have yet to see someone that normally runs in the back of the pack bolt a crate in and start running up front. You need a good handling balanced car regardless of your engine choice.
I bought my 604 took it out of the crate, bolted on a JDR carb and put it in my car and was just as fast as the guys who spent tons of money on dyno tuning and hand picked engines. Total cost in my crate vs my claim engine setup was the same. The big savings for me was time, I didnt have to touch my engine all season other than oil changes.