Aluminum 833OD behind a 440...your thoughts

Ironically enough, Ike debating on pulling the OD out of my Dart for a close ratio unit myself! Now I'm not worried about it breaking behind my 170ci slant six, but the gear spacing is simply miserable and makes accelerating frustrating as hell!

My little 170 is stock, and very slow, even with 3.55fd gears. However when I turn it to 4000rpm in second, which is when it stops pulling, 3rd gear drops down to 2400rpm roughly. So far out of the power band that it feels like you hit the brakes! This probably would be much less noticeable with a torquey big block, but the problem is still there. I vote close ratio for fun, and OD only if you can't afford the fuel.