I had 3.55's in my car with a lockup 904 and 27" tires and hated it. was tolerable on 55mph speed limit roads, but freeway speed limit in MI is 70, and ~3300 RPM (what it cranked along at ~70 mph) for any distance just wore me down.

I kept the gears, but added an A500, so my effective rear gear with OD is 2.45. much better.....

personally, I'd keep the rear gears you have, add a limited slip diff (I'd go with the torsen style offered by eaton, I think, if buying new), and high stall, relatively tight converter--one that will flash to ~2700-3000 RPM when you stomp on it, but not have a ton of slip at speed...