Pinion Angle? Do I have this right before I cut it up?

If you position the car so that the engine/ transmission centerline is level the math is easier as your actual pinion angle reading will be relative to the crankshaft.[/QUOTE] so if you leveled the transmission CL you would then level the pinion plus/then moving the pinion down a few degrees (from level) depending on the type of driving/racing you will be doing. Am I on the right track here?[/QUOTE]
Yes. With the weight of the vehicle on the suspension. Keep in mind there are two planes that you are working with. As viewed from the side and as viewed from the top. You will want the angles as viewed from the top to cancel each other or nearly cancel. I only mention this because in a race car where you are mounting the engine from scratch it is possible to get the motor in pretty crooked. Same for the rear end. If you have ever pulled a pto driven mower, baler, or manure spreader with a tractor you would get a working example of what happens when the angles get off in the view from the top.