The Challenge: looking for the most bang for my buck for $1500 I will soon have to spend.

Car: 1967 Satellite, 440, 727, 9.5" Dynamic 4200 stall converter, deep trans pan, driveshaft safety loop, 3.91 clutch-type Suregrip, 9X28 Slicks on 15X7 cop rims, all steel, full interior, manual steering and brakes, no heater, Weld Draglites and 165/80-15s, 3600 pounds.

Motor: .040 over '71 440, stock stroke, steel crank, 9.75:1 static compression, close to zero deck, unported 452 iron heads, 238 at.050 Engle Hydraulic, Performer RPM, 850 DP, Hooker 1 and 7/8", 2.5" mandrel-bent with X pipe, FBO ignition kit, 3/8" line from tank to carb.

Suspension: original 318 with AC torsion bars, Monroematic shocks (longer ones for a Dodge Pickup on back), original 45 year-old 318 leaf springs, no subframe connectors.

Goal: at least high 12s in the quarter.

Things I'm considering: 90/10 shocks, subframe connectors, Calracs, Superstock Springs, pinion snubber, Stealth cylinder heads, 'glass hood with scoop, glass front bumper (front bumper is all tweaked anyway).

New build that I just got it running and sorted out driving around on the street for about 500 miles. Happy with the way it runs. Now I want to make it ready for some passes down the quarter-mile.

Ideas for me? I know $1500 isn't much but it's something. Thanks!

P.S. Brakes, master cylinder, front end, tires, and steering linkage are all new and it has been aligned so I think it is about as safe as a 45 year-old car with 45 year-old technology can get.