Need Advice on Low(er) Budget Race Build

I think you're screwed. HAHA!

Its going to be hard to get it completed for $2000.00, much less run 10s. A transmission/converter to run fast is going to cost more than that.

You could go a long way towards 10s in a Fox mustang for $2000.00 (with nitrous), but I don't think you're going to get anywhere close in a Mopar. There are some good things about Mopar, but being able to build ultra-cheap horsepower isn't one of them.

I went hunting for a good budget option and I ended up getting a 5.9 Magnum out of the junkyard. If you can find one that doesn't need rebuilt and the heads aren't cracked (good luck on the last part), you'll have a decent horsepower (but definitely not 10 second capable) motor for between $500-$1000. You'll still have to shell out for cam, gaskets, oil pan, carb, intake, distributor, balancer, etc though. And in all likelihood, you'll be shelling out for some heads sooner or later. The good news is that there are some "cheap" good options available.

A late 80s, early 90s non-magnum 360 *might* be a good bet also, again assuming you can find one that doesn't need rebuilt. I don't think the ring package and reciprocating weight is as good as on a Magnum, and the heads don't have the quench style chamber either.

Again, I don't think you could get either setup complete with a trans in the car and running for $2000.

I suggest these because with your budget, if you set foot in a machine shop you might as well give up right there.

Not trying to be pessimistic, just realistic.

Steve