Honestly man, if $225 bucks will break ya, you don't need a new cam to begin with.
Just save up and do it right. That extra $225 bucks will be well worth it in the long run.
x2.
More than likely, the pressure plate is bad giving you really really hard pedal effort.
Had it happen to mine.
Possibly could be the clutch cable, make sure it isn't binding.
x2.
But the motor sounds like a decent deal.
Wont be much performance over a 302 tho. Also, you hafta to think of the money you have to put into it, just to get it to fit.
I love the sound of open headers.
But Ive been around alot of dirt track late models.
Im not saying it sounds good, but I love it regardless.
Check plus for you man.