Change of plans....looking for a much smaller list of mods to 351C

Was planning on the killer, but now with the current $$$ situation, it is going to be much less custom. I'm planning some kind of aggressive cam, intake, valve job. This is a 4V head setup. Any other suggestions that are lower budget? Car is a '70 Mach with ram air and 4 speed. Are headers necessary for a less trick engine?