Darren,

Thanks for the kind words, I know you;re gonna love the way that motor drives, One can easily tell that you put a TON of research into the combination, I think you're going to be as happy with yours as I am with mine.

I'd be real interested in the cam and how it works with the Gear Vendors overdrive, I don't know the final drive ratio but I imagine the od is in the .75-.8 range which would put your hwy cruise ratio in the low 3's? The motor will be willing the real 'trick' will be getting the converter to be tight/efficient enough to take advantage of the higher gearing and still 'free' enough to flash to the meat of the curve.

My car is an original 4 speed chassis, I've been waiting to see how Jamie's (Passon) new OD 833 5 speed develops and if it's built to hold-up to a solid 700 horse ultra quick revving combination. The issues people tend to have with the tremec 5 speeds is the syncros don't seem to keep pace with a a quick revving/quick shifting motor, especially in a heavy chassis car.

The 3.54 gears with the 28" tires seem to be happy behind the 517 with a conventional 727, the torque is so broad and the powerband is so rev-happy I don't really think the motor cares what RPM you want it to go; I had PTC work me out a 9 1/2" 'stroker' vert to my particular specs and I'm very happy with it.

The best motor combos, the ones I strive to build feel kind of like riding a strong/fast horse that's totally 'in tune' with the rider; always willing to gallop wide-open...and even at a 'trot' they always feels like they're right on the verge...wanting to 'git-up' with only the slightest nudge.