Im planning on running a ford racing 345 hp crate with a t-5z in my 65 coupe... Im looking for a decent around town drive but I dont want it to be a dog at the back roads drag race.
I asked this same question awhile back, I wanted basically what you did. From what I recollect a "decent" driver around town would be using 3.50's. The five speeds low first will basically compensate.
hehe I have 4.11s and I don't mind them but if I try to go much over 75 or so I'm pushing the 3k mark on my tach. I'm probably going to be dropping to 3.70s sometime in the future.
Go with 3.50's or 3.25's. With the what(?), 3.35 1st in a T-5 , you'll tach out 1st before you're ready to shift in the "heat of battle" with 3.73's or 4.11's. With those low gears, it'll be almost like having a granny gear 1st in a pickup. Good for starting heavy loads on a steep grade, but nearly useless for everyday driving. You'll find yourself skipping 1st in most take offs.
I've been running 3.50's in my '68 with a stock '93 5.0 EFI and T5 for the last year or so both on the street and at the track. It's not bad, especially with all the low end torque that the EFI gives me. However, I think 3.70's would be better at the track and make overdrive more useful on the highway. I'm having my diff. rebuilt with a Truetrac as we speak and am going to 3.70's while I'm at it....
since you are running a T5, then i recommend no more than a 3.50 rear gear. more than that and you are shifting for second almost as you let out the clutch. i also recommend that you run at least a 25" tall tire as well for the same reason. the other thing is that you really dont need alot of rear gear in the early cars as they are fairly light.
for those who run an AOD, i recommend that you run a 3.73-4.11 gear on the street. that will compensate for the high 2.46 first gear in the AOD.
I just swapped 3.50 for 3.73s in a 66 w/351w and T-5. Its a different car. The 3.50s will be way more streetable for daily driving and be plenty for country roads. I miss the gas mileage but I want to opentrack my car so who cares now? I also am running a 9" w/4.11s in my Barracuda with a Ford T-5. It is fun to drive, but not long distance.