The key is to remain honest with yourself. If you are planning to build an engine that will typically operate off-idle, up to 4,500 RPM, then you have to stick to the plan. Tunnel rams, Dominator carbs, 2" primary headers are not going to work, those parts are all designed for completely different applications.
The guy that managed our engine shop was a circle track racer. He was building an entirely new combination, one that really only had one, restrictive rule. You could run what you brung, but it had to have a bone-stock, 500 CFM Holley 2 bbl. on it. Jeff didn't build a monster, with a 4 bbl. to 2 bbl. carb adapter atop all of it. He built an engine from that wee carburetor, down. If memory serves, he won all but two features that year, always had quick time, and won the track championship. We were building all kinds of stupid stuff for other guys in the same class, and there was Jeff, driving circles around all of them.
Decide what it is you want to end up with, then chart a course to get there. But you can only accomplish that by remaining honest with yourself.