Student budget..340 or 5.9 magnum...

Student budget hot rodding?

360 Magnum!
Non computer efi builds will need an intake,
carb and a distributor/ignition.
Add headers & cam later.

If possible, if you don't have a transmission, grab the trucks 2 wheel over drive trans.

I did a 5.9 in front of a 727 W/3.55 gears. Excellent driver.
RPM intake, 650 AVS, junk yard distributor fired by a MP Chrome box and hooker headers into a home cobbled true 2-1/2 dual exhaust. Dyno Max Super Turbo mufflers.