Well, imho.....
1. I dont think you can build / run a stroker for 3500. The reason I say that is you'll need injectors, tb, maf, chip, headers, etc... to go with the engine or it will be a total waste. All that together will probably set ya back (with the eng) about 5-6K. This will however make GREAT power with good drivability. (lotts-o-torque)
2. A decent stock rebuild with H/C/I + injectors, maf, tb, headers, etc.. (the trick flow kit is an excelent example) will get you 300 whp and solid 13s on a corner carving suspention, or solid 12s on a drag susp.
This could probably be done for 3500 with some help from family. There are many local examples to ride in, or watch if you are un-sure.
3. A short-block (like mine from dss) with h/c/i/ etc... will make 3-400 depending on displacement (only a couple hundred diff from 306-317-331-347) but with the extras maf,inj,tb, on topo of h/c/i, will probably be about 5K.
4. ORRR you could go for a good stock rebuild, some home ported heads+c/i or some gt40 heads (better than stock, but still not much $) and a 6lb blower. Youll probably be in the 400 range for about 5K plus more power is only a pulley away, and it has big bling factor if youre into that.
5. ORRR there is the bottle fed idea. A good bulletproof build plus the extras, and about 600 for a kit. This will get ya the aprox 300 area for n/a and 400-450 on the bottle. For about the same 5K
The prices all varry quite abit depending on how much machine work costs you, how many parts you can get cheap from friends, family, etc.. and how much security blanket you want. You know do you want the "should be fine" rods for 200, or the "couldnt hurt them if you tried" rods for 400... that kind of thing.
Best of luck with whichever way you decide to go.
DD
