Is this engine builder nuts?

That's kind of what I was thinking. But if it comes down to it, I'll probably choose less hp over more money.

Another thing he said that threw me off was, "I'd recommend 4.10 gears, especially in a car that heavy. If you've got 320 hp and a 2200 torque converter, it could feel like a dog when you're just cruising around."

This car will see some highway miles and I don't want to be doing 3500 rpm at 65 or something.

A 350 hp 318 with 4.10 has the same accelerating power as a 350 hp 360 with 3.23, it takes gears to make a little engine work.