Some advice

Do the 360LA! Get a good core cheap, have good overall machine work done on the block & heads along with some KB pistons, and he's good to go. As far as the "total" combo, $$$ will equal out when it comes to the cam & bolt on's. We can deal with that later when the converter/gear ratio is narrowed down?

Don't forget that you'll need a V8 904 to go behind it?