I bumbled thru the first page of responses, but not really wanting to sift thru all the off-the-wall stuff, to see if anybody got to the meat and potatoes........ so:
There is a simple solution to your dilemma, namely; overdrive.
I like what
@66fs said , and anyone else that is on track with him.
Every time I offer opinion, people jump on me, so I'm not gonna do that this time. Instead I'll tell you what I actually already did.
Like my Avatar shows; final iteration is 367/A833/3.55s
I chose each of these components with fuel efficiency as the primary consideration, and modest power as a secondary.
I had at least One example of every LA SBM, in my shed.
I had at least One example of every transmission that would bolt up to any LA, both automatic and manuals.
I had at least One example of every A-body rear-end, except a Dana, and
I had at least One example of nearly every rear gear from 2.45 to 5.13 skipping; 3.73s and 4.56s
These were my options.
I chose the manual trans for efficient power transfer, to gain mpgs, so I could run a bit more cam.
I choose the 8.75 for it's easy-swap pumpkin.
I chose 3.55s for their dual-purpose versatility
Knowing this would be a modest performance combo, and
knowing that the 367 could fall together cheap at near-zero deck, and
being desirous of the 1.7 r/s ratio for piston dwell time at TDC, and
knowing that a longer stroke would allow a lil more cam before loosing cylinder pressure,
I choose a 360..
To run a smaller cam, I reasoned that this engine would need some extra cylinder pressure. To get some Power back, due to the loss of valve duration, I choose a better-flowing head. To take advantage of the piston dwell, I reduced the cruise rpm drastically with overdrive. To get out of the rut of a crappy starter gear, I choose a trans with a 3.09 low in it. To get low-ET back, I installed a Gear-Splitter.
Did it work?
Hell yes!
on a certain Daytrip-test, she pulled down 32mpg USg
At the track, she went
[email protected] on 245 street tires@3650 pounds/me in it.
This is what I have already done.
this is not imagination,
not puffed up keyboard tickling;
this combo sits in my carport as we speak.
And you can come to my house with a trailer and a bag of cash and take her home. Or if you wait a few weeks, I'll change the gas and oil, and then you can fly over and drive it home.
If you want details;
some most excellent fellow FABO member bought me a Gold membership (thank you whoever you are), so I now have lots of room for Conversations. I am semi-retired so I got lots of time to talk....