I would start with a good ignition upgrade, like MSD. You could start with 8.8mm wires and an MSD coil. Maybe an ignition box or a new distributor. A shift improver kit in the tranny would give you firmer shifts for better off the line acceleration as well as prolonging the life of the tranny. When that gets old, put in a little hotter cam and a intake. Read some car mags, like PHR and Hot Rod and you'll get some good ideas. Nice car, I used to have a '77 442. Completelt different than your '71, but it would really go! I miss that baby.