The axles can be fixed with proper prep/parts and centering the engine/trans to avoid bottoming out the axle plunge. Tires wear better and the car makes more lateral grip with a welded diff. The DRS also wil add a lot of handling to this chassis .
Still a very up hill battle with 850# loaded on the LF tire. vs the RWD cars. You could easily spend 20K and not have a front runner as you cant cheat physics.

Prod may be more successful as you can move the battery, loose the PS and headlights run bigger wheels etc.
There are a few in Chump running 17x9 front wheels and going pretty well. The small tank limits fuel run short of the 2 hr max tho and none have podiumed yet.