"Project ShortHaul" The Build Journey

[Getter-Done]

I always liked the sleeper approach.Back when I was Racing around in fast cars. I would use a cam with a low to mid range rpm specs. That would shock the person I was racing when they got beat by a what seem to be stock motor.
I used anti-pump up lifters that made it idle (almost) smooth.
Now with that said, My opinion on a stall converter just picture sitting beside a cop at a red light. To get the vehicle in motion you will go up to at least 1500 to 1800 Rpm just to get it rolling. Also while cruising around town you RPM will 2000 to 2200 minimum. Those are just round about numbers and this is just my opinion. I don't want to get beat up by the people that love stall convertors. A big cam an stall convertor sound COOL but they draw a lot of Attention (some good and some bad).
About your fan shroud. You have several options. 1st I would probably fabricate one. 2nd Go to salvage yard to (TRY) to find something you could modify to work. 3rd Jegs or summit racing have all kind of shroud for aluminum radiators (but they are expensive).