if your combo can take advantage of the overdrive trans, then you can upcam one size and better than breakeven powerwise. Or just upsize the rear gear 5 to 10% and you will again net more performance. In fact, going from a street-friendly 3.55 you could go to 3.55/.69=5.13s for the same cruise rpm. But, the 5.13s would have 44.5% more TM (Torque Multiplication), making your engine feel that much more powerful.
If a streeter, therefor, you can rear-gear it to redline at 60mph in second gear, and it will be a killer combo. For example;you could run 4.56s to hit 60=5100 (5% slip) on a cam that peaks at 4900 (say a
[email protected]), and annihilate the zero-to 60 ET you mighta had with a
[email protected] cam and 3.55s; which would only hit 4000@60mph. And with the 4.56s plus od the cruise rpm would be; 65~2550, compared to 2870 with the 3.55s
Plus you can use an A500 behind most any SBM, saving you a few pounds, and the A500 has a slightly lower First and Second gears ..... allowing you to run 4.30s instead of 4.56s, bonus!
Knowing what I now know; I wouldn't put a Hi-performance dual-purpose combo together without an overdrive; cuz running 4.30s is killer quick to 60, even with a modest engine. Perfect for a streeter.
The only thing you have to be careful of is to not undergear for your cam.
What I mean is, if you keep the 3.23s in the back, then your 65=1800rpm. So then if you are going for fuel-mileage, then your cam needs to be out of reversion, with the manifold vacuum being on the plateau, by 1800. Else the fuel curve will be hard to get right, and the intake will get very dirty inside. So to prevent that, I highly recommend not to try and run the DC 292/292/108 cam,lol.
That 1800rpm cruise points to a
[email protected] or less, IMO
Or just drive faster,lol.