First thing is to determine the Nova rearend ratio. It really ought to be around 3:40 but what it is is what it is. It would just be nice to know and would work great for your circumstance. With a 2:73 I think you'll spend a lot of time in second gear in the hills.
I'd suggest the power pac heads and a 2 bbl manifold if you can find one which shouldn't be difficult. Use the camelbacks on a hotrod project or sell them to help out on this build. Get a torque type bumpstick. In fact I generally advise people to talk to the cam manufacturers and give them the info you offered here. Their advice is invaluable. Too many only concern themselves with HP and little more when discussing V8 engines. You want something else as you've described it.
