hello, i too was a domestic guy (78 camaro z-28 with a 468 and 2 stage fogger setup..8.48@147 in the 1/4)...as far as the motor in question ..100 horse with a 4 degree timing retard is all i would push it..in stock form. also as far as rwd goes.. you might want to look again.. the steering rack is as much if not mre of a problem..since you could make it automatic w/ a cable shift and not have the linkage