seem to remember the 4500 being a truck trans with a granny gear, something like 5 or 6 to 1 low gear......and being a pig when it comes to weight......pretty sure it is close to 200 pounds.....might want to google it.
You are correct the 4500 is a great transmission for off-road with a 5.61 first gear. Not so great for a muscle car.
On the other hand the 3500 is a better match. The light duty version has a 3.49 first gear. In my view not ideal, but with a 3.23 or 3.55 rear end gear probably a good street transmission.
