I think what the guys are trying to tell you is look at what ever
car manufacture you prefer and pick a light small block car
as your starting point.
Jon Irving won class at Indy with his Plymouth Volare S/W
with a 318/904 combo. The car has the best possible parts
with in reason and is consistant, but also has a very good
driver.
So again what floats your boat, a chevy nova with a 327 or 350?
A later model 80's-90's Ford Mustang with a small block?
And as stated buying a turn key car is cheaper to get yourself
started out racing in Stock Eliminator.
As my signature shows I own a 74 Duster with a 383 BB, I thought
I was buying a good starting point, but my car has sat for many
years and was missing all safty equipment, so I had to add all that
plus update brakes, fuel system and electrical to start, have I gotten
to race yet? No, but that is my own fault for letting life get in the way
of my racing....oh ya and wanting to stay married to my wife too..
And mine is a bracket car, it could fit into SSGT/FA with a high dollar
383 or add a 360 and fit into stock eliminator if I want to go that route.