Yeah, That sounds very similar to my goals. I'd like to be under 3000# with good handling suspension and A/C.
The LS has great heads so it's pretty easy to make good power. I'm probably going to swap in a 5.9 magnum. They are a good package and easy to swap and cheap-ish.
Okay I was in the shop for a bit last night and got the roller weight as a starting point…this is with manual steering box and slant 6 torsion bars….the basic Mopar drag combo