/6 or v8 swap?

My wife is short, so the 2x4 is a great idea. Paint it black, a little chunk of rubber mounted on it for grip. Perfect idea, thanks. But no I don't have any performance parts saved up for a 6. So it would be more money out, and as much fun as a manual transmission would add I dont want to start down that road with it. Her daily driver is a manual, so the automatic will be a nice break in her fun cruiser. Which I have to keep reminding myself of. I have to get back to the mindset of economic red shiny cruiser. Fat tires out back, bucket seats and Hurst shifter, vinyl top delete, a/c, flat black hood with dual scoops, black tail stripe. She wants the look, but will never race it. Said when she wants to go fast she will run the big block duster. As its getting wrapped up before her car gets started on. Honestly the bone stock /6 might be all she needs. Maybe a mild cam. Then for once a motor installation can be straight forward, all the wires where they should be. I might be getting lazy in my old age, but its sounding better by the minute.