Looks like a fun project, best of luck with it. Call me crazy, but wouldn't it make more sense to upgrade the drum brakes in the front to discs BEFORE adding more horsepower? Just a thought.....;-)
Definitely on the list to do the conversion to front discs . . . but not in phase I . . . planning the front disc upgrade when I change the rear end out to 8 1/4 . . . at that time I will do disc brakes and new wheels all around . . . make sense?
Is there a reason you suggest front disc brakes before the engine bolt-ons? Something clearer line of thinking I am missing on that?
I really am looking for better answers than I am giving myself!
