Newbie - seeking advice

Welcome to FABO. Nice to see you getting your daughter into the hobby.

Assuming that you have a V-8 engine, here's what I recommend:

1. Have a nice dual exhaust with 2 1/4" pipes and good turbo mufflers (I like dynomax - they sound good and are not too expensive).

2. The stock electronic ignition is good if it is in good shape.

3. Install a good dual plane intake manifold (an Edelbrock LD4B for a 318 or a LD340 for a 340/360 engine or a Wiand dual plane).

4. Then install a good 4 bbl carb with ELECTRIC CHOKE. (Holley list # 80457 or Edelbrock 625 with electric choke - Available at Mancini Racing for about $280 last time I bought one).

For the electric choke on the carb, make sure to hook up the + side to a good 12 volt source. Disconnect the wires going to the ballast resistor and use a test light. Connect the clamp end of the test light to the battery - and then turn the ignition to the on position. Then poke the ballast wires to see which one lights up, that is the one you want to connect to. If you go to NAPA, they have a nice "piggyback" flat connector that you can use to connect the wire to the ballast resistor without "compromising" your existing wiring. You can always remove it also without any traces if you decide to later.

I ran a 68 Barracuda in Detroit everyday including winter with a electroinc ignition, electric choke 4 bbl, and dual exhaust. With the electric choke, I could go out on a 20° F day, pump the gas twice, start the engine, and put it in drive after the oil pressure came up and drive away without any stumble. Very reliable for daily driver.

Dual exhaust is important for efficiency and performance. The stock single exhaust is very restrictive and this will give the most bang for the buck improvement.