This is totally my personal opinion and may not match others preference! If you have stock rods and crank (assume cast, not forged), I'd look to make HP in the mid RPM range. No replacement for displacement, so the .60 over helps. Now match all your parts so they all make HP in the same similar range. I like Edelbrock Aluminum RPM heads, and I do the gasket matching of the ports. A dual plane low rise intake makes HP in the lower RPM's. A larger plenum with a higher mounting of the carb makes HP in the higher RPM range. I'd talk to the cam mfr. about your setup so they can suggest a grind that works best for the RPM range. A carb too needs to match what you are trying to flow. Too much or too little CFM's is not good. There are charts out there that match your setup or speak to Holley/Carter/ whatever. Probably a 750 CFM for the HP you want to hit. If I had to do it over, I'd probably went with electronic fuel injection, but that domino affects to other parts like fuel lines and tank. Last but not least, the torque converter. Just enough stall to get you in your HP range and keep it there. If your engine power band is 3,000 - 5,000 let's say, then a converter that stalls at 5,500 doesn't make logical sense. Oh, a good set of "tuned" headers. I went with Hedman, but would go TTI if I could have a do over. I look forward to see others ideas and comments.