The LS engine would be great for my purpose and it is certainly something that I would work towards. For the moment though, it is not in the budget.

In sticking with the Gen I 350, what advice (manifold, cam, etc.) would you have regarding my original post?

Ultimately, I'll try to keep things light with aluminum manifold and H2O pump (eventually heads) etc. and keep my gearing a bit taller. 700R4 for the overdrive would be nice too.

Thanks again guys,

J