Toploader Question

Wide ratio is the prefered ratio by most people, IMHO. First gear is still higher than you might like - its 2.72, if I remember correctly, versus 3.35 for most T-5s, and 2.95for the motorsport T-5(z). IMO, the wide ratio allowed Ford to use it on big blocks where the torque load as much higher than on small blocks. That is, by reducing torque multiplication, the tranny could handle more flywheel torque.

I just swapped out a wide ratio toploader for a T-5, so I know what the toploader was like. It will work fine with your small block. You don't want the close ratio.

The wide ratio toploader is a good tranny for any car with 3:50 or lower numerical rear end. Its first gear is 2.78, vs 2.32 for the close ratio.

The wide ratio toploader is the better street tranny. The close ratio is better suited for the drag strip (with a race engine) because it helps to keep a peaky engine in its torque band. I am not saying that close isn't also good on the street or that a wide ratio won't work at the track.

Only some 390 big blocks came with a wide ratio. All other big blocks were close ratio. www.4speedtoploaders.com

The toploader that you have will work great behind your 289.

I have had both a wide ratio and close ratio in my car that is doing 290hp/285tq and perfer the wide ratio. I was actually at the point where I would run one for a while and then swap the other back in 6 months later, so I had a lot of back and forth experience. (socal meant that you dont want the close ratio).

The 4th gears are going to be the same 1-1 ratio, so the only thing that will change is that it will be more like starting off in second gear.

Oops. mfp4073 (what kind of name is that?) is right. Now corrected.