[Jack21]

If your interests are more sportscar than racecar, here's some food for thought.

Consider a T-5Z as an alternative to a Tremec. For 351W service in a 2400#, street driven car, the T-5Z should give you years of trouble free service. With street tires, it's difficult to put enough torque through the trans to break it. The tires spin first. If you go screeching it from stoplight to stoplight, your drivers license will likely be the first thing to go, then the trans.

The "Z" is a close ratio box with a 2.95 first, and your choice of a .62 or .80 5th. Stock is the .62. With 3.73 gears, leave it at .62. That will give you your cruise where you want it. And 1st isn't so tall as to be useless. None of the Tremecs have close ratio gearsets (yet), and you're stuck with 3.31 1st gear. (Great in a 2.73 geared Mustang, but not in a 3.73 geared Cobra).

Have 3.55 gears in mine, and went with the .80 5th. 60 - 75MPH cruise turns the engine 2000 - 2500 RPM. (And gets me 17MPG in the process - with a roller cam, HP aluminum heads, DP carb...not an economy 351W motor).

Bought the trans from Liberty Racing Transmissions who installed the .80 5th gear, and blueprinted the trans. Put a Hurst shifter in it as well. Shifts like a Honda.

Am considering adding the 393 stroker to the engine, and wondering myself how far I can push the envelope with the "Z". Unless Tremec comes out with a close ratio gearset, the "Z" goes back in, and we'll see.