welcome to the forum, . I liked the plymouth coupes prior to 52, they were more like other makes of the era. I had 53 savoy coupe, but the styling was somehow off, no cool factor. It would be nice if you could stay with Chrysler power, but cost is less if you don't. I am a Ford guy myself and the is a cost difference between sbc and sbf which isn't as great as dodge power, unless you have a 5.7 hemi laying around.
please post some pics and ideas, members are glad to share their help and resources for parts either performance or restoration.