Teenage budget build

The primary thing to make a 360 run well is to get rid of the low compression pistons.You can get a decent set of Kieth Black hypereutectic pistons in a flat top with valve notches for about $225. These will get you a zero deck and get you up tp around a 10 to 1 or 10.5 to 1 compression.That along with a good cam(dont go too big) and a set of valve springs and retainers. Do a decent performance valve job. Some headers,decent intake and carb should round out a good budget build. I've built a hundred of these combos that ran really well without spending a fortune, you just have to realize that you are not building a world beater or all out performance engine and you can make some decent power for under a grand.