73 Dart Swinger - Need advice!!!!!!!!

So I have an Automatic 73 Swinger with the Slant Six - super clean car besides the interior, super soft/floaty suspension and rear end needing some attention but its not a bad running car. However, I can never leave well enough alone - it’s a curse, I know and I admit my vice, with that said - I want to go V8 and EFI with this car and I have been reading thru FABO and the plethora of data and its like trying to drink out of a Fire-hose = Information Overload but most of the posts are for "Early" A-bodies so a lot of that info does not apply. So I decided to start my own thread where I will ask questions and track my progress for all to see.

Here are my plans so far:

Engine Swap: V8 EFI
Trans: Auto
Rear End: Ford Explorer LSD Rear with either 3.73 or 4.10 gears
Suspension: PST Torsion bars
Brakes: Already been converted to Front Disc Brakes with Big Bolts and all new S.S. Brakes lines throughout by previous owner.
Interior: bought a Dash cap, got a new Grant 3 spoke Steering wheel, and picked up a set of Neon SRT seats - all waiting to get installed.
Exterior: would love to find a dual scoop hood - like the 340 Darts had, Add the Flip Cap Fuel, and a new set of wheels

Am I missing something else?????

Goal is to have a car that I can jump in it at any time (reliable), turn the key and go. No worries of adjusting carbs and can cruise on the hwy without it screaming but have a good street appeal while laying down some rubber.

So here are my questions: (keep in mind that this will have to be as financially economical as possible and I am "NOT" a mechanic by trade but I am not afraid to get my hands dirty especially if I can see it done before with threads and Pics or Videos)

1. What are my options for a fun to drive/cruise/drag (on occasion) EFI V8? I don’t think I can afford to go V8 "AND" swap the K-Member - so I just want to add the extra 2 cyl and have fun. Would love to add a New Gen 5.7 or even 6.1 but I don’t know if its worth it over a Magnum 5.9. but I've had a 5.7 and a 6.1 and I know their potential even with just a simple Cam swap. However, "ANYTHING" is better than the slant 6. Lol

2. What are my options for Transmissions to back up the above suggested V8? I don’t want to cut into the car (massaging with a BFH is perfectly fine) so it would need to fit in the stock trans tunnel and I am perfectly fine with it being an Auto as long as I can go cruising on the HWY for long distances (if I chose to) and it can be a sweet light to light rubber smoking beast.

3. I keep hearing of Biscuit and Spool mount types - how can I tell which one the car has? I think that is important information when buying motor mounts???

4. Fuel - keep the stock tank and add "external" powered pumps etc?

5. What am I not considering that I should start thinking about?

6. Budget: Don't really have a budget as I have never done this before but if I was to set a price on getting it all done - lets say $3,000 (just for the motor/trans).

Thanks for your input/time and THANK YOU for such a Great Forum as I said there is a PLETHORA of information on here and I have met some really good people in the small amount of time that I've been here.