Need Advice on Low(er) Budget Race Build

First thing first.
Get the car on the road first ,and make it dependable enough to go get a coffee and bullshit with other people on a friday night.
Find someone with a ten second car on the street and ask him how much his car cost him and then you will be looking at this in reality.

If i where you i would take the $2000.00 and go find your self a cheap dart with a 318 in it or any mopar , that has not been messed with by anyone.
There are some really nice cars out there for $1500 to $2000 grand.