Newbie (sort of) needs some ideas...

So there's an adaptor, eh? I really like the cable shift, so I want to keep the trans..lol. As far as V8s... I've considered everything from RB to LA. I have the '65 only V8 trans, complete 273 core for tin, more than a couple small blocks, factory 273-4bbl manifolding, centerlink, gas pedal, kickdown, etc. So it's not a question of getting anything in terms of V8s. But for ease of install, and perhaps a turbo down the road, the 225 seems like a couple hours of install and I'm driving again. I have a habit with my own stuff for never getting it done, and I really don't want to take this one apart unless it can be running later the same day...lol. The 170 in it already is recurved, the carb modified, and I've driven it daily for a month or so when my Neon died suddenly even in temps as low as 20°. As I said, it's kind of won me over. So I guess I'll find any 225 and go from there. My problem is it runs decent, but not fantastic, and even on my dirt driveway, it can barely turn one 3" wide tire. So I'm hopeful toget something that with the "tweaking" I can do and a couple bolt ones I can get 1hp/inch. I'd bet that's more than twice what it has now...lol.