Best ways to wake up a 250 include a healthy cam, HEI, MSD-6 box which helps smooth out the lumpy cam, headers, intake and carb, porting and shaving the head. Unfortunately, the items that help the most affect the exterior appearance of the engine. You can also gain a few hp by using an electric fan, but you have to up the alternator to compensate.
Or, you can salt away the 250, and drop a few grand on a 502 hp big block, but the rear tires don't last very long!
