don't over cam it, don't over carb it.
get some reasonable compression, decent heads, 1 5/8 dia full length headers (tri-y, etx, non fenderwell), dual plane, 600~750 cfm carb, factory electronic ignition.
since you're setting the dial to "stun" and not "kill" anything from a "302" to a 360 2bbl head will be fine-- adjust compression as necessary.
converter and gears are going to make more of a seat of the pants difference than an extra 50 tq or hp.