duster setup?

In the MP "Engines Book" they "Tested" a few of the "Purple Cams" in a Duster. Forgive me if I get some of the details wrong, but it basicly went something like;

400 CID
9-1 ratio
M1 single Intake
850 carb
Headers
S/S springs
4.30 gear ratio
727 with shift kit (?)

The 296 solid cam went fastest into the low 11'S IIRC

With 40 extra cubes, mostly in stoke for more torque, I think you could have some fun at a very low price. The only thing hard to replicate would be the compression ratio. That would require a piston replacement. To keep it cheap, mill the heads or find closed chambered heads and mill them down as to get as close as possible to a 9-1 ratio.

I would yield at a 9.5-1 with a iron head and today's pump gas. The extra half point or even a full point on the ratio is nothing for power.

Only a good stall converter remains.
Take time to lighten the car if it suites. Less weight is easier to move of course.