[Clois Harlan]

Bill,

What is your drive train budget. If you go with a Tremic or TKO you can spend between $1200 and over $2000 for your tranny and then another $200 for a good after market shifter. If you are going with the 351W consider either 3.50:1 or 3.73:1 rear gears. You will probably not be real happy with anything higher given the driving style you eluded to. A good crate engine will vary in price depending on your options and the shop you choose. A 351 stroked to 392 or 408 is very responsive and since you probably won't be doing much track time they should last a very long time.

I am a firm believer in using a shop that you trust. It is easy to bolt some parts together but if the shop doesn't know the little ins and outs of the engine you may not get what you are paying for.

By the way have you considered the guys at Premier in Kansas City for your kit? They build a very nice kit.

Clois