How to get my car into 12 seconds?

choices are kinda limited since everything your gonna need is what you dont want to do lol...more gear would definatly help, as would compression, a nice sized cam, and a good converter....I think a cam like what rumble spec'd roughly, a 4.10 gear with a good tire and converter (not sure on stall), 650-750 carb, headers and an air gap should get you there- you'll need some lightenening as well imo to be sure since like hamesdart said its cheap...Also if i was you, look at suspension as well...some tricks you can do there to help hook that shouldnt cost much i.e. springs, keepin those /6 t bars up front, some adjustable shocks or worn out ones in the front for weight transfer, etc.

Im young and poor like you so i know what you mean...as far as bigblock goes, yes its cool, but id go lowdeck if i did a bigblock...imo not much room with a BB in an abody and depending on if you can live with it or not it may not be right for you...and i used to think that smallblocks were hard to make these things go fast- lately i have been seeing alot of stock stroke 340 and 360 builds that are pretty simple and turning some good numbers, so dont underestimate the LA

im sure more knowledgable guys will chime in here

p.s. for converters there is a place by me called markham converters...call and talk to ernie...my buddy with an 800hp nitrous chevelle runs one their converters for years with no problems yet