[Excaliber]

The original Comp cars ran something like a 3.73 or so and the CLOSE ratio top loader where 1st gear was 2.32. Figure a 26.5" tall tire for back then. 1st equals 64 mph at 7000 rpm.

With a WIDE ratio, 1st is 2.78 equals 53 mph at 7K.

My experience has been with the reasonably light weight cars traction is a major issue. A 3.70 rear gear is pretty low and that WILL fry the tires at will. Without slicks, your only kidding yourself, the car would actually be FASTER accellerating with a TALLER rear gear to "tame" wheel spin!

LOT's of replica owners have stated time after time their ET 1/4 mile times improve by short shifting to 2nd, or even starting in 2nd because 1st is simply "useless".

That high speed in first your talking about is a result of spinning the engine to 7000 rpm, a lofty number! I'd lean toward what they used "back in the day" for gearing myself.

My ERA gearing is such that 1st is good for 65 mph at 6000-6500 rpm. Yet I can easily run in the 11's at the 1/4 mile.