Ultimate daily-driver Gen II A Body to build

If you have 30K to spend I think I would look at swapping in a 3rd hemi with 6 speed trans. It will give you plenty of power and reliability. I would never swap my slant for a small block but I might for a 3rd gen.

With the 6 speed you could have steeep rear gears and still cruise at a reasonable rpm on the highway.