In addition to the recommendations I related in my previous post in this thread, I guess I ought to mention that the advice I found the most helpful was to not worry too much about a high horsepower, mondo motor build at first--save the $$ and use it to install a good LSD in the transaxle and buy big brakes! In addition, as I recall some members have said one of the easiest ways to improve performance is to lighten the car somehow. To that end, I plan on using an alloy block, probably a Dart, and aluminum heads and intake--anything I can do to save weight.
I guess in the end it is the "combo" that makes the difference. It sounds like sticky tires need to be part of that combo if you are going to be able to put the power to the ground and drive it around a curve or two.
It's like Roseanne Roseanna-Dana said: "If it's not one thing, it's another!"
And, of course, each of us has his own idea of what that "other" thing is, don't we?
Best of luck, StiggF99--let us know how it all turns out!
Doug