Do a search on all the different tranny stuff guys are doing. It makes a banshee motor a total different beast.
Do it in phases. First do almost any bolt on you can afford. Pipes, carbs, head, intake, timing plate, shifting/tranny mods, suspension, etc. Just remember that a stock motor making decent power won't stay together forever.
Phase 2: once the motor pops, it could be a season or could be a few seasons. Just depends on the current motor. So at this point most guys get all pissed but you can use it as an excuse to really make the motor really bitchin. You will already have the supporting mods so why not. Tear it down, replace every seal, port the cylinders and get custom domes, cut the tranny, weld the crank or have a good welded stroker put in.