The 318 would be best for ease of finding one cheap and can be rebuilt cheap (junkyard cop cars had 318- 4 barrel stock with A-727).
They are the same family as the 273/340/360, and with some head scratching you can also use the 5.2/5.9L magnum engines...
That being said with the 2 barrel 318 you will want to:
Get conversion mounts from Schumacher for the 'easy conversion'.
Need a new transmission (need an LA pattern 904/727)
Next step up on torsion bars.
Better brakes (10" drum minimum).
Rear OK if granny driving (drag race it light to light an it's a gonner).
Going for bigger than that (340/360/5.9L)
New rear end- 8.25" or 8.75", or equivalent.
Next step up from those other torsion bars.
Disc Brakes.
New wheels if you go with Discs and a late A-body axle.
Front suspension will need to be in good shape or the
lack of control will subjectively mate you with a phone pole.
You might actually look at the price of the shopping list and look at cars in your area...if it costs you $5000 for the upgrades(and labor), and you can get a car that is already 'upgraded' for the same price, it's better just to buy the car...
-D.Idiot
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