Wide Vs Close

[75 Squire]

Ok as most of you know I installed the Tremec TKO 600 in my 75 Squire. Now the engine I have is a Ford 400. Its the big brother to the Cleavland and is a out right torque monster and has almsot no ability to rev in stock form. The question is since I plan on going to a 3.70 Traction Lok in the near future is the close ratio of the 600 better for this engine or would I want the wide ratio 500 that has a very deep first gear? I am going to 3.70 since I now have OD I need a smaller gear to get the revs back into the power range at cruise.

[CJguy]

As someone else said it depends on where your power band (torque) is. Since you have that 400 and unless you have modified it signifcantly, should have a pretty wide torque curve. As you know a close ratio tranny is mostly used for racing where your running in a small power band say 6000-7000rpm where the max power is so when you shift you don't drop out of that rpm range.
Be honest with ya, I'd stay with the wide ratio but change the rear ratio and get the revs back up and see how it is

[75 Squire]

So because of the broad torque curve its better to have the wide ratio for the larger drop in RPMS with each shift? Hmmm.... dam looks like I lept before I looked. Oh well. Lesson learned, gonna remember that on the next build.