maybe the shifter linkage is messed up and it's starting out in second gear.
Everyone is giving solid advice. im sure over half have been in your same predicament. Me included.
Question on holley 4150
you could follow in my footsteps and max out a bunch of credit cards and have a slow racecar that is 99% street driven.
For the record AJs advice has gotten my 360 running way better. Thanks