Suggestions on performance upgrades for 225

Bigger exhaust piping and or dual conversion. Get a 2 barrel on it at least and make sure you get a good advance curve set up in the distributor. An electronic ignition conversion is a good idea as well.
Did all this with mine and it made a big difference. You could swap it for an 8 but where's the fun in that.. great looking van by the way ( or BTW ) which ever you prefer