Any small tips to help ET?

To anser your question about rpm's ,YES.
It's all about VALVE SPRINGS.
A good 360 will handle 6500 all day long
If the the motor is a good motor it will be fine and by that i mean/////////////////////////// GOOD VALVE SPRINGS MENT FOR THE CAMS RPM RANGE.
You only want to raise your shift point as much as you need in first to give you a lower rpm for second gear
BY THE WAY WHAT CAM DO YOU HAVE
WHAT VALVE SPRINGS
WHAT PISTONS DO YOU HAVE
WHAT CONVERTER
WHAT GEAR
WHAT SIZE TIRE
Are you spining off the line??????????????????????????

Most motors when they blow will hit the valves into the pistons due to over reving and floating the valves.(WRONG VALVE SPRINGS)
The other main reason in rod bolts CAN break.