New here and looking for advice with my setup.

Fun, hot, STREET, car? In my opinion,
1. Modern overdrive trans
2. Gears
3. Cylinder heads
4.Camshaft and valvetrain
In that order. 3,4 can happen together but don’t have to.
I’m not a restorer so the value of the car comes from my enjoyment and those are the things that would make it more enjoyable to me. The overdrive trans (5-6 speed manual) will make the car so much nicer to drive you’ll end up driving it more.