performance upgrades for 1980 360?

Im looking to purchase a 1980 ramcharger that has a 360 in it. The engine is stock and is a great running engine and uses no oil. I am looking for a small block to put in my 70 'cuda to get me through the next couple years until I finish a house remodel. I was considering using some parts I have from a 340 that needs rebuilt on this engine. I have J heads with 2.02 valves that I would like to use if it will not lower the compression more than it already is. I also have a hughes engines whiplash cam that I would like to use. This cam is supposed to work great with low compression engines. I have a few 4 barrel intakes and an edelbrock 600 carb. Also have headers. Would these parts work okay on the engine? More importantly... would the heads be a good swap?

Use all the parts you mentioned on that 360, they will only help. I would regasket it and throw in a new timing chain/gear set while you're in there, then give the motor a fresh coat of paint. And yes I would run the J heads. The 1980 360 is going to have as big of chambers as ever made anyway so you won't be losing any CR by changing them. Should give you a fun combo to beat on for a few years until you're ready to step it up.

if the motor is tight and original, I wouldn't bother with the J heads. I'd just keep what's on it, on it.

if you do pull the heads, I'd look for some of the (sounds like now discontinued) .028" thick Mr. gasket head gaskets...last I saw, amazon.com still had some.

I'd probably just keep the stock intake on it, it's a pretty decent piece, unless you plan on using a square bore carb...

for a cam, how big is the whiplash? I would keep intake duration 218 or lower. I used a comp XE262 in a stock pistoned 360, with cheapie hedman headers, an RPM air gap, and eddie 600...it ran real strong.

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if you do pull the heads, I'd look for some of the (sounds like now discontinued) .028" thick Mr. gasket head gaskets...last I saw, amazon.com still had some.

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I would pull the heads anyway, even if just to scrape the carbon off the tops of the pistons. At that point there's no reason not to swap on your J heads, but it's up to you.