Index Racing (Engine Build and Tips/Tricks)

Before anyone reads the post below pretty sure I'm gonna open up a can of worms but here we go.....

A local drag n drive event is changing the slower street class to index racing next year. I have no experience with index racing and looking for help and any suggestions for an engine build and driving tips/tricks.

Let's say the index is 12.00 and car with me in it weighs about 3400lbs. What's the goal? To run quicker then 12.00 and short shift? What horsepower should I look for with engine build? (Engine can be 318 or 360). Say an engine is built that is too fast or slow, what do you do at the track to run on the dial?

I feel like build it faster then slow car down by Short shifting, take out timing, change tire pressure, deep stage (adds ~ .1 to et in 1/4 mile). etc. However, having no experience with this I'm really looking for any advice where to begin to build the engine then driving tips. Thanks!!