i have another friend with a 340 dart that always raced his buddy who had a 440 GTX.Both cars were far from stock and they were always making changes to "one up" each other.They hit a point were at the strip the GTX would consistently inch the little 340 out.As a last ditch attempt to slay the gtx he installed a .489 gear set and took the big block out shifting just below 8000.
Next day took the .489's out and never used them again.
..I just love that story!