I want to start looking into push rod setups for drag racing. I'd like to be in the 10s-11s range. Even though I can see the merit of LS based setups I don't want to have a mustang powered by one. Call me crazy but I really like the new edge body style and have that 04 Mach 1 chassis to use. I have been kicking around the idea of making it a dual purpose R/C -strip car but I'd rather make it strip only. The 99GT is good enough to run on the R/C for now. The Mach is a blank slate because it has NOTHING attached to it. My idea is to blend the motor of an old school 351W Mach with the newer body.
Setup I'm thinking of..please FEEL FREE TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS based on personal experience.

Front suspension / Front end
Team Z pushrod motor to new edge chassis swap tubular K member & coil overs
http://www.teamzmotorsports.net/prod...-kmk-swap2.htm
Spring rate? I have 12"/200 on the 99GT not sure what I should get for this setup.
Team Z 2" Drop Spindles
http://www.teamzmotorsports.net/prod...id-spindle.htm
Strange Front Brakes
http://www.teamzmotorsports.net/product_p/b4145wc.htm
Flaming River Manual Steering Shaft
http://www.teamzmotorsports.net/product_p/fr1509m.htm

Rear Suspension:
Team Z Grip Series #1
http://www.teamzmotorsports.net/Grip..._p/tzm-gs1.htm

Rear end:
Team Z Mustang Bolt In Ford 9" Housing or just standard 8.8 housing??
http://www.teamzmotorsports.net/product_p/tzm-9bi.htm
Strange Pro Race 31 Spline Axles or with Spool??
http://www.teamzmotorsports.net/product_p/p1007.htm
What is a good diff?
Strange Rear Brake Kit
http://www.teamzmotorsports.net/product_p/b1706wc.htm
Other :
Brake master components
Steeda full length sub frame connectors
Custom built cage
Sheet metal dash
Seat / harness
And of bunch of brake & fuel lines, cables, wiring.. etc
Gauges, battery rear location box & shutoff switch
Fuel cell
Steering wheel
Brake & accelerator pedal assembly
Line lock +++??
Management system
And a bunch of other various parts to put the puzzle together.

Might be further ahead to buy a roller however I want to build this from the ground up.
Not sure if I want to build something to compete in a series with or just take to the strip and have fun for a few years. I will keep taking the 99 to the track for now with the goal in mind of this being a 2-3 year project. Chassis is coming into the garage this week so I can get started.

Now for the fun stuff:
Motor & transmission?
Everyone keeps saying on a push rod all you need is a good cam & heads to make a 10s-11s build.
What is a good cost effective route to go. Budget is just cash flow over a few years. Power goals... Whatever will get the above setup down the strip in 10-11s I want to stay N/A all motor. Must have a big lumpy cam. Transmission will be auto? Open to any suggestions.
This is not a money is no object kind of deal so no $30000 motor suggestions please. It's kind of a grand or two every few months until it's done type budget.

So thoughts?
Cheers
Andrew