If you're mechanically inclined and have more time than $, the vanguard is a fun project. It has so much potential, I was really surprised. A few budget mods would be thin head gaskets and a decent exhaust, richen the mainjets a tad. Set the govenor to 4000. Advance the timing a little. Run 91-93 octane. Could also shave the heads a little. The stock compression is around 8.5. You can also put smaller chamber 14-16 heads on an 18-20 to get the compression up. Beyond that, it's time to liberally start throwing hundred $ bills at it.