Under $4k budget build LA360 build

AJ/FormS said
I'm not saying that you need to install 3.91s.

I am saying that you need to analyze the ENTIRE COMBO.
And if you are on a budget, then you need to put your money where it gets you the most bang for the buck.
And while getting 300 to 350 hp out of a 360 is pretty basic, actually getting to use that power doesn't usually show up until waaaay later in both rpm and especially in mph.............. because the gears control at what roadspeed the power gets delivered.
Now, if you just want a combo that burns rubber, I got nothing against that,lol.

Captainkirk said
I can't answer your question WRT rear end ratios based on an AT, however I can shed a little light on those ratios running an A833 4 speed. I drove from Chicago to Tulsa spinning 3.91's and while we were trying to keep it around 60-65, I really had no issues with running out of rpm with that diff. On the return trip I was spinning 3.55's and it seemed a little more relaxed. I guess it depends on how much highway driving you intend to do. Not sure I would want to spin a 3.91 at 70-80 mph for any extended period of time, but for my current build, I don't intend to. You may have totally different expectations from your build and trans.

When I go back to work, my drives will vary between 5 blocks and 35 miles. Dependent on what I’m up to that day. With that said, a fair amount of driving will be done on the highway at 70mph. I was potentially going to build a second 3rd member with bigger gears, but after reading more about how gear ratios work with the engine build, I probably won’t. I like the idea of 3.23’s in theory because they have some balls, but aren’t too much for long highway drives. I need to research this quite a bit more. I’m missing a step or two on how AJ got to where he was with his numbers. Lol.