It sounds like you;re just starting out.
Lucky you, when I started they didnt have
forums for advice.

First step is, get a tach and oil pressure gage
if you dont already have em.
If healthy, find a dragstrip or G-tech and clock
the car as-is to see what you've got.
You will treasure this info for many many years

Next - ok, 1000 miles a year. That means if you
WANTED to you could build a pretty ornery combo.
Is that the goal?
Street or dragrace or both?

How much money do you want to spend, say,
this year?
How much eventually?

Those are the first questions to ask!