Just got mine legally on the road this past weekend...flat land,stock 56-235, Fentons, Holley/weber 5200, T-5 w/.72 OD, 3.08 diff.,29" dia. rear tire.
Would pull smoothly in 4th(1:1) from 1000rpm.
1600rpm in 4th= 45mph, in 5th about 60mph. 2000 RPM in 4th, about 55mph, in 5th 75mph. Can't vouch for accuracy of my chase car speedo but these are in the ballpark.
What impressed me the most was the low-end torque from 1000RPM up!!! Could short-shift up without any lugging or bucking. It's no road-rocket but I was after mileage and extended engine life with this truck. I think I've hit the right combo even though on paper the rpm's look kinda low. The book says the 235 makes max. torque at 2000 RPM but I found that from 1000 up to 2000 was all I really needed.
A 3.73 should be a little quicker off the line but should give you a reasonable cruise RPM. My second surprise was how well it handled with the 235/70/15's on the front with no sway bar or steering stabilizer (yet) and the Camaro Z swaybar on the rear. Tracked straight...no wander or body roll. I am a happy camper!!
As for fuel mileage....can't help here as I need to scout up some speedo gears and get calibrated. I'm shooting for 20mpg!
Dave
