I had a '72 360 with 915 J heads 1.88 intakes and 1.60 valves, I simply had the heads rebuilt and a valve job..no porting..etc. I out a double roller chain in it and a mild cam. Had it degreed in. I had stock Dished pistons installed..came out to like 8 something compression.
LD340 Edelbrock intake (long discontinued you can use an Edelbrock airgap RPM though.

But I had an 850 cfm street/strip Thermoquad and the LD340 manifold was modified to fit this, as would an AirGap would need.

I had headers, H pipe, glasspipes and it was all in a Challenger. Car had screaming mid range with a 2.94 gear.

I suspect if I atleast 9 in the compression range and atleast a 3.23 it would have really been fun.

I'd do something similar to what I did..and try a different piston. maybe even upgrade to 2.02 intake etc.