all right this is a easy one go to the junk yard buy a 360 out of a 2000 or newer ram truck get a air gap intake cheap piece 650 carb i don't care hows. youmight even score a tranny cheap that is a good combo i think this is what your after once set up you will be close to 300hp or a little more run low test fuel and your good to go and a cheap set of headers stroker are a lot of fun and do last a long time but are not cheap to build sounds like you on budget this my thoughts and for a guy starting out a good set up not to many issues with this set up and u can get parts any wear .
