Quote:

You want to run low tens? At what weight? Lets say you budget to get down to 3200 lbs. You will need 625/650 hp on the dyno to run 10.0s consistently in average midwest air. My choice would be a 512 bb based on a 400 block. A set of massaged small port heads, run E85, and a glide. A 590 or similar flat tappet cam ought to do the trick. A set of 14/32 slicks on 14 inch rims and you should be absolutely deadly once dialed in.
About a 5000 converter (no less), shift at 6000 rpm and it will last a LONG time. You probably will want to run a 4.10 gear also. I had a 475 with 440-c heads, a juice cam with .540 lift and a small 750 methanol carb and went 10 teens at 3180 lbs as an example of what can be done with out breaking the bank.



S'what I'm talkin about.
Losing weight makes a ton of sense too , but a big motor that isn't maxed out will be the most cost effective and reliable route to my way of thinking.