[wtcobra]

Steve Dickey- Without getting out my gear ratio computer it is my recollection that the first 4 gears of a Richmond with 3.07 RE are very close to those of a Top Loader with the W/R gears with a 3.54 rearend. Most performance tires for Cobras are shorter than 27", but there would not be much difference between a WR T/L and a Richmond's first 4 gears in the above scenario, and both would be fine for the street, except I would expect the T/L to shift better when they are occasionally punched. I am sorry if you think I stepped on your toes as I see you are going to use a Richmond. All of my race tires are 26" tall down to 25.5 for the Hoosier radials. I will say it again the Richmond is fine for the street, but they do not shift well with use on tracks and the above combination is marginal in 1st gear when used with competition tires. Now if you are going to come back and point out one could raise their 1st gear shift rpm level to 7500 to 8000, I would have to agree with you. Your 2.88 RE is perfect for the Richmond as your 5th gear will be like an overdrive. The C/R TL with its 2.32 1st gear works better with a RE of 3.54 than it does with the W/R 2.78 1st gear in a Cobra that is making serious torque. You can't get large enough tires in the wheel wells to allow it to hook up and you are then forced to short shift. Also all of the guys I know with fast ERA's have gotten rid of their Richmonds.
wt