Looking for the right path!

be sure to take a good close look at that transmission (or have someone do it)
that blue RTV worries me a bit

what you are looking for is found in the right combination of parts
and that is not limited to the rotating assembly only
once you know how you want to engine build (cam, pistons, C/R, intake and carb) figure out what size rear tires and which rear gears your running and then...get a torque converter that matches all of that


one a side note, we have a post on 9 second, 10 second, 11 second and 12 second small block combos (look for them in the racers section)
look through them and see what peaks your interest and fits your budget (this will also tell you where 400 HP gets you)