8hp shifter question

I ran 7 usable gears for a couple of summers in a manual-trans streeter. It was kindof a dumb idea with a speed limit of 65 mph. Even in the eighth mile going 93, I only used 3 or 4 of them . Couldn't use double-over until smoking down the hiway.
Gave it up and switched to 5-gear and am much happier. 65=2240rpm seems about right; and 3000=86mph.
Jus saying.