273 swap to 318/ build, cost, potential, daily driver

Thanks I appreciate that! I’ll point my research in that direction and see about finding one. What can I expect to pay for one? Any trans recommendations?
That's totally location dependent. If you have an LKQ in your area, that would be a place to start. Go with a mid 70s 904 and you'll have the part throttle kickdown. Any type of automatic overdrive will require big floorpan modifications.