Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

That's all impressive stuff, but such a waste of time and money when you could turbocharge and rip out consistant 9's or lower.

Actually, what will the box take? That's probably your limiting factor, and why you are better off doing what you are doing and keeping the power fairly low.

Carry on.

i'm doing all the stuff on a tight budget ($AUS5k for all performance mods, lots of 2nd hand stuff or trawling forums, fitting stuff myself), to get a reliable 11sec street driveable car that is relatively legal and that the cops won't hassle me.

plus this will be near the limit of stock fuel system(fuel pump, injectors, lines), stock auto, stock driveshafts, stock tailshafts. could run a monster cam or turbo or supercharge, but seriously 290rwkw is enough hp. finally once start running sub11 you need a cage, tailshaft loop, trans blanket, andra license etc.

all has been done for a purpose ie budget, low 11's and stock appearance.