[radrambler]

ok, many variables in this question. you need a set plan once you find "the car" because thats going to set the budget for what gets done!!
do you want performance only?? looks cool only (stance and wheel/tire) ? 17k really can get spent quick..this is how i would start"

1. find the best body condition vehicle you can.granny car that has bolton parts available for that platform. 5-7k should get a helluva nice original un hotrodded 68-72 nova or skylark 70-72 or mid 70-80s camaro
2. get a pullout eng/trans combo say 5.3 or 6.0 truck combo( 1.5 -2k) or less if you research internet(craigslist.org)ebay..
3.get your engine harness and fuel system bought (1k)
3. dont look at 10 inch wide fronts ..youll blow your budget trying to make that work in your favor ,go 8 or 8.5s and move forward .
4 budget how much you want to spend on suspension and ask questions of people who have these parts installed and working on their cars .going with stock style suspension with aftermarket adds..sway bars, springs,brakes .....will be most cost effective
5 wheels /tires depnds on the style you like and how much you have left after the above

but like all of the above it depends on the cost of the car first and trickles down from there
you have to spend the initial"purchase price" to get any of us to be able to give you a "real plan"

also depend on how handy you are in fabrication and the tools you have avaible to use .
if you have great abilities it opens this build thing up to other ideas.... we here have a bunch

radrambler