[VE6DRW]

Mike,

Great that you're taking the plunge into MOPAR class racing. Nothing is more satisfying. Over the last 45 years, I've built 2 from scratch and bought 2 that I redid to make them competitive. My experience says either route is going to end up costing about the same.

Aside from the engine, most of the parts you're going to need are available "off the shelf", but it's a matter of knowing what to buy. Talking to at least 2 or 3 racers with experience in your desired combination is critical; everyone will have a different opinion.

Concerning the engine, you need to get hooked up with a builder who can provide you a complete package - carb to oil pan, and one with a proven record of building a competitive MOPAR unit. You're also going to need support from them once the engine is installed and running; there's always questions and tune-up tips that help you extract the best performance and reliability from your combo. I've used Randy Loge in California with great success, but there are others.

All the best in your endeavours.