[Excaliber]

The original comp cars ran a 3.73 rear ratio and a close ratio 4 speed top loader. Typical 1/4 mile times, "back in the day" were 12.2 or so. The 289 cars were real close to that, 12.4 maybe? The top speed was WAY different with the FE going substantially faster.

My 427, 3.31 rear gear and close ratio top loader runs:

11.90 at 121.27

I don't shift to second until about 65 mph, so it's a HIGH gear combo. But many Cobar owners have found a LOW gear combo is useless at the track due to traction problems. Their best ET is often obtained by using 2nd or even 3rd gear out of the hole!

Thus, makes a strong case for the high gear ratio I'm running!