engine choices for 74'

Does any one have a suggestion for my 74' Suburban's power plant. Also what tranny should i go with. Manual or Auto. This thing i hope will be the most unique suburban in WA state.

What do you want it to do????
As far is muscle, there is no better start than many Cubic inches.

i would like to have it to do a 12 second quarter mile. also i would like it to have many cubic inches.

Start with a 454 & Turbo 400

Draggon, 12 second quarter is a bit optimistic. 5000lb vehicle is gonna take more than a BIG powerplant to go that time. You need a torch to cut that burb up and plenty of dead presidents to buy the necessary parts. Might want to downsize to a Camaro or Nova if you want to go 12's.

I've got the turbo 400 but right now I have a 350 with a nock in it. Not good. what if i went with a buick 502. New engine mounts of course but more displacement. That might get me to the 15's then some modding and i could reach the high 12's to mid 13's

Gotta agree with Dan,
454 chevy is a good start. plenty of parts available for your mods. not too expensive etc. Modified turbo 400 tranny also way to go. IMHO
Are you building a street/strip truck?

DUDE, your dreaming. You cant buy enough modifications to go from 15's to mid 13's. SAVE your money. You need to either be satisfied trying to have a nice, slightly quick burb, or going in another direction. You are not gonna make a STOCK bodied suburban run 12's or 13's without adding a blower, NOS or both. I dont care how many cubic inches you cram under the hood. You might call Warren Johnson and buy a 1300hp Pro Stock motor for about 50 grand, but other than that, save your money.