Help!!!!!

Project overload here! Looking for some recommendations for my '72 Duster 340 re-build.
Some of you have read my..er, 'novella'...
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=10519
and know what I started with, but if not, let me brief you:
1972 Duster, 340, A833 4-speed, 3.91
Here is what I have to work with:
'72 340 block, standard bore. I have both the cast crank and the forged crank out of the earlier 340 block (still have that block but it has wear on the bores) I have the set of ported & polished J heads, and the X heads from the earlier engine. The J heads are cc'd to 67ccs to play well with the piston that I was planning on re-installing TRW 13:1 which should bring the CR down to around 11.5:1 according to my engine guy. Planning on running my Edelbrock Torker 340 with either my Holley 650 DP or the new Edelbock Performer carb I bought from my kid (15 minutes running time). I have the stock Mopar electronic ignition. Cam is not gonna be reused nor the headers. I have the option of using the X heads with different pistons, but money is at a premium here and not wanting to spend anything more than I have to. Looking for a good street combo to get me close to the 12 sec. bracket (which is where the old motor combo had me) but my builder tells me things have changed exponentially since the 70's and the stuff I was running then is out of date. Dunno, but seems to me that the 12 sec bracket was attainable then, why not now?
He says cam grinds and ignition are way advanced from then, but anyway....
What are the thoughts of you experienced builders? What parts would YOU recommend trying to maintain a tight budget and get the performance back to where it was or better?
Thanks!!