going fast help

Everything has to work this way: First, a goal. Make it something you can achieve. (like no, you'll more than likely never have a fuel burning Hemi street car) Second, determine what factors limit the process of achiving that goal. (as in, $$ you currrently have..never plan to make up the rest as you build...and car's usage, and what you have for stuff, and how long you have to do it, and how much you can do yourself) Last, spend, get, and do, until that goal is achieved.

Now, as I see it, your situation is something like this (I'm going off what you've posted). #1- Goal: reliable, low maintenance performance street car. #2- money/time: limited fundage (guess up to $1200 on hand), several stock 318s, stock trans and rear, but driveable A body. Fairly good amount of time, not much knowledge and limited skills. #3- take a V-8, and bolt it in the car. Use the 318 that looks the best, and the trans that runs. Add cheap headers, and a good dual exhaust system for performance, and more important, noise/attitude. Replace the belts, hoses, clamps, fluids, and rebuild the stock carburetor. Replace the ignition with MP electronic kit and read instructions on how to tune and set it up. Then, drive the car.

I can gaurantee you will never complete the car if two things happen:you bite off more than you can chew, and you try to keep up with goals that currently are not achievable for you. Use the stock stuff to learn what things do, and how. And use the time to save more $$. Going full tilt leads to a lot of expense on stuff you think you need, and then breaking the stuff you didnt realize you needed after you've exhausted the cash flow. You should have heard these by now at least 4 times: "You can always have two of these, never three together..fast...good... and cheap." and "speed costs money son. How fast do you want to go?"