After reading these dozen or so posts,and seeing what "stage of the game" you're in, I would suggest going the 360 route.If you can get a sound shortblock, add some magnum style heads,a cam,exhaust,intake and carb.you'll be happy with the results.Target a 1500-5500 r.p.m. range with the cam and intake,and try to get some non hiway ratio gears. If you can measure and insure that the combo will end up with some decent compression,you may not even need to bore it. This kind of low dollar-Dairy Queen/hay bailing budget- stuff is all my friends and I did back in the day,so I know how important it is to stretch a buck. Hell' gas was about half an hours wages a gallon when I was your age! Save the strokers and big block conversions as future inspiration,and have some fun within your budget now.