Hello pathenry,
Here's a good use for a 2.88: a 521/C6/low stall (2000-2200rpm) converter.
Plenty of torque and a good idle. It'll light'em now from a 5mph roll all the way up if you want to.
With a manual trans you'd need a pretty big, tame engine to have an easy time on the street. Bonneville would be pretty good though
Tom