If you got about 3 grand, do this. Try to get a crx already with an enine swap done to it or buy a cheap one for like 1,200 and use the rest of the money for the swap.
for the swap, I would(If possible) get a b18c(gsr) but, it is a lil expensive. If you cant get a gsr, get a b16a(sir gen 1) cause you can leave it as it is, or do an lsvtec or b20vtec.
here is about how the times go.
GSr crx-low 14s.(Should be able to take a gt stang
B16 crx-mid to high 14's
lsvtec crx(i think low 14s-high 13s)
b20vtec(mid to hih 13s)
Ps, when you beat a v8 stang or v8 camero and they ask how much horeses are you pushin under that lil 4banger, 350whp, say"no, im pushin less than 200" and usually there jaw drops to tha floor. It iis always fun