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While I get what you're saying. Who luggs a new engine (I've never been known to sit a WOT in the wrong gear). For those that don't know the geography of my trip, this is an adventure that goes through the rockies and down to the coast, so basically 1/3 of the driving was in the mountains. No point in trying to hold on to OD, when the drop to 4th gives ample power. There were only a couple of times when this was necessary. At the speeds we were running on the way home (80 + MPH) the engine is in it's sweet spot and pulls up hills without question or complaint.
This is not an average B20 for power (the power band (torque curve) feels very broad and flat). I've not dyno'ed it yet, but I would hazard a guess that it would put around 140 hp down at the rear wheels. Litterally gobs of power, get it up around 3000 rpm and just hold on (I did have a self-imposed redline of 4500 as I was breaking it in). So if this was a regular B18 or B20 with 60 - 80 hp a the rear wheels, then the gearing talk makes sense. You'd be hunting for the right gear all the time, not so with this set-up.
There is no problem down low either, so first gear is not too tall. I only went from 4.10 to 3.73 - not to 3.08 or 2.73 which I would consider tall. Sure it is a drop, but not a totally outrageous one. I drove it around lots of hilly stuff in town and had no problems and didn't have to slip the clutch (and my p-brake is not really all that functional - so no p-brake starts were even attempted). You've got to move fast from the brake to the gas, but it didn't mind one bit.
I'm not trying to be argumentative, but I find random comments like "Keeping it out of the red will be a bit more difficult with this sort of gearing." when the evidence does not support the comment is more dogma than information.
Craig
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Forgive me Father for I have sinned... [120-130]