If he doesn't hotrod it, the Saginaw will work. It's got a direct drive 4th. gear, which will work best with a rear end ratio somewhere in the 3.40 to 3.70 range. A 3.55 would be just about ideal, unless he's planning to do something stupid like run extremely tall (or short) tires. Just don't do any kamikaze launches like revving up the engine and side-stepping the clutch. I've seen people get away with using a T-5 overdrive transmission behind some pretty healthy V8's but that's really pushing the envelope!
Jerry

"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!