[Dragsinger]

of the items listed, the AMC "might" be a good choice. [needs research]

This is just my personal opinion, the 4 cyl and 6 cyl and two barrel 8 cylinders combos are simply too slow for my enjoyment. Even if one of those combination's is good, it is not a good choice for your first stocker. [again, in my opinion] The low powered engines are strongly affected by conditions making them difficult to dial, even for an experienced racer.

Even by doing all the work in house and buying parts carefully, you will have many thousands of dollars invested. When it is all said and done, beginning with a combination that holds "at least a reasonable chance of being competitive" will be no more money spent that pioneering an unknown combination.

Consider this, stock eliminator contains many bright and hard working racers. Some of those racers are very free thinking so if some unheard off, rare combination was a good move, someone would already be running it.

In no way am I intending to discourage you, rather, I strongly encourage you. I simply know from personal experience that once you are entered into a race you will be more satisfied about the money and time invested if the car is competitive.