Good to see another fan. These are definitely solid cars, but I’m in a very similar situation to you. Even as a track car these cars can be set up very well, they just need a few suspension mods (what car doesn’t?). Its not bad on gas as long as you don’t hammer on it.
If I were you I’d stay away from the Pre-94 cars. The L98 (I think its called, basically the engine before the LT1) has a lot of power off the hop, but up high it is apparently pretty gutless. Pretty kick ass looking engine though =/. The LS1 is pretty expensive, but if a higher budget isn’t an issue, it is a beastly engine. They cost about twice as much as an LT1, sometimes more. The LT1 I find is a good sweet spot for cost : performance, as there is still a huge aftermarket and huge power potential. There is a guy in Windsor with a 9 second LT1 as a daily.
I told my Nissan friend who wants a 240Z to put a LS1/LT1 into it and he nearly kicked me in the teeth :mrgreen:. Would be a nice swap IMO. Every car should have the LS1 as an optional extra.