i might be picking up an 84 body, no motor no trans. what motors should i consider. i want to drag, but still be street driven and also im short on cash, so chaper might be better.

and 2) what type of (manual) trannys would be able to hold high horsepower for that motor?

 

I am no expert but most likely a 350 with either a built up T-5 or T-56 depending on application and how much $$

 

for cheaper, go with a gen I sbc , and carb'd it doesn't Have to be 4 bolt.. If you get serious you can 4 bolt it later.. and apparently makes a stronger 4 bolt. but if you can find 1 for cheap.. by all means.

 

Those two pieces will not go together.

There is no "cheap" manual transmission that will hold up to high horsepower. If you do have a manual that can handle high horsepower, the rear end won't. It's not up to the shock of high horsepower manual launches, and getting one in that is will run you a couple grand minumum.

The shortest distance between no engine/no transmission roller and street/strip is a 350 of some kind, carb'd, with automatic transmission. TH350's are cheaper and can take more abuse than TH700's. The rear end can handle more power than stock, but if you get above something in the 250 range you'd better figure on upgrades (gears, axles, crush sleeve eliminator, support cover) if you want it to last at all.

 

I say 454 BBC and th400, if its not a street car, start hacking and modding. First do the swap, and then build a drag suspension to take the power.