thoughts and advice for a newbie to drag racing?

rear gear ratio? and axle type? 8.25, 8.75 etc...
automatic trans? converter?

are headers worth it? They are as basic as hotdogs and hamburgers at a BBQ. Yes it is worth it. I guess I should ask which manifolds?
look on right front foot of carb and get the number off of it 1405, 1404 etc that will give you cfm. probably 625...