67 Valiant

I'm new to MOPAR world and I finally got a something that I believe that would stick out from the crowd. It's not a camaro or a mustang or a rice burner.. I got a 67 valiant /6 3 on the tree. The car is great on gas, but on performance I'm getting left behind by everything even by those hybrids (toyota prius).. I was hopping to get some input from anyone that likes to stick out from the crowd..
I want to put in a V8 in it (318, 340 or 360, whatever it is its going to be stroked out) with a 4sp manual, bring the top down about 2 1/2'', put power brakes with disc all around. And since the car is a 4dr, I want to make the rear doors suicide. For paint wise, I want to stick to flat black, make it ratty like.
I'm not trying to drag race the car, I just want to be unquie..