Your favorite rear end/final drive ratio and why?

MRGTX said
What did you pick? Why? Are you happy? Do you wish that you picked something different?

About four years back, after saving up a wad of cash, I had the chance to pick out my "dream" rear axle assembly. My vision for my car was to make it as fun as possible on curvy back roads, probably take it to the autocross at some point, and to generally make it exciting and engaging to drive. To me, this usually means higher revs and lots of shifting.

With that in mind, I chose a mechanical limited slip (Eaton Truetrac) with 4.10 gear ratio. After living with it with two different engines and two different transmissions (just did a 4spd swap), I am not sure if I would have been better off with a lower numerical (more highway oriented) ratio. The main problem seems to be the lack of an overdrive gear and engines that don't exactly love to rev. The two 5.9s I have had tend make their power down low where they don't need as much help from the short gears.

My current engine is a Blueprint 408 stroker making about 460 at the crank driving an A833 4spd with stock ratios. There's more than enough power to overwhelm the tires in almost any gear...at least with my 255 no-season BFG T/As.

Would it be more fun with 3.23s or 3.55s? I just don't know and experimenting is outside of my budget currently... I'm hoping to learn from you guys before I invest.

Which ring gear, 8.25 or 8.75? With an OD transmission I would go with the 3.55. With the 4spd, 3.23 gears would be better. Smoking the hides is not a problem so a taller ratio will help with maintaining traction.
Fuel costs are up and down like a hooker's knickers these days, with a general trend as time passes of staying up. With that and the enviro loons activism in full swing, looking to squeeze as much mileage out of every drop of go juice is to be desired.
These clowns pushing "The Green Scheme" have their heads where the sun does not shine. The push to reduce emissions is to be admired, provided the result is attainable. Carbon or CO2 is not the evil in the room causing global warming or climate change. Earth has been slowly warming just a few degrees since the end of the iceage. The progression is like a slow motion spring in the northern states. Right now the daytime temperatures are slowly climbing. Snow in forests is barely starting to melt. It is melting away from tree trunks which the sun can warm. Snow and ice reflect the sun's rays back into space. Once ground is visible, the heating accelerates.
All the best with the 408 and picking the correct for you gear set. If you get new gears, break them in gently and change the oil after 500 miles. A magnet stuck to the inside of the diff housing will collect all the metal particles preventing them from getting between rotating parts.