Hi Mike,
I am building with a mate and we too have a CR, and what the build manual lacks in detail is certainly made up for on the forum by the help and experience of the guys that have built, or are building these great machines.
I am of the opinion that we are building a hot rod and not a Shelby Cobra, hence the fact that I am not worried about using a Chev LS1 (watch the abuse I cop for that statement).
I am like you and want a car that is a heap of fun to drive, that I can take to the occasional track day (my driving skills will be severly tested) and that I can work on myself. What I have discovered is that the built is half the fun (well all of the fun at the moment cause it ain't finished). I am looking forward to the day it fires up, but am already planning what I can build/restore next.
Whichever one you choose, you will have a great time researching and discovering skills you never knew you had..
Cheers. Mark (not a Mike)