On a bracket car, 500 dollar motor is all that's needed. 300 dollars for the good running magnum and slap a chinese air gap on it and your done. Sportsman class, cut down the tree and run the number. Never break, win rounds. :)
In the late 70's there was a guy at Spokane running his Caddy with the A/C on clipping off wins.
Several times he made it deep in rounds at the World Finals with his slow consistent ride. lol
He also ran a 8 sec altered.