5 Speed Gear ratio advice?

Nice. Sorry you had so much trouble getting support/parts for the install. Looks like it worked out in the end.

Thanks for those pics! I have the same console now and wanted to keep it, so it was neat to see your setup. I'm hoping to just be able to swap my auto top plate out for a 4 speed one and a boot and that part should fit.
no problem,, my issue with the parts wasn't with install, it was about a noise we heard after it was running. We (the local trans shop) thought after remove and disassembly thought it needed a 1st gear bearing and I needed some specs on clearances. No one would help with some info. Since it is supposed to be a redesign of a T56 we installed a bearing from a Viper trans from Mopar. I'm just pissed that we had to wing it with no support from anyone. My console is an auto with a 4 speed top plate like you want to do. I did have to send the trans back to Tenn from Canada to have the shift mechanism relocated to be directly under the hole in the rubber boot, so you have to watch for that. When I got the "perfect fit trans" the shifter was coming thru the ashtray. Hence the aggression.