So look under your hood. The crossmember is the front of the lower control arms. The crank pulley is like 2" from the front of the cross member. The majority of the engine weight is behind the center of the front axle

if you really wanted you could make mounts that drop the engine 2" and move it back 2". Any more and I fear you'll have firewall issues

but being manual, that means your shifter changes too

I want to be clear; I don't think you shouldn't do the aluminum block, I think you should do what makes you happy: that's the biggest tangible difference between the 2. Imo

 

Its a long shot on the 3.08s, but I know if I was to change that would be it. It would be a while if ever.


I have my seat as far back as it can go. I wouldn't mind if the shifter came back about another inch or two. Honestly though, unless I could already buy those mounts, I know I won't be making em.

I think when it comes down to it there are benefits to either one. Its going to be a budget build with either one, so that might effect the outcome. If I could at least get something better, and then work on something serious. I really don't know at this point.

I do appreciate everyone contributing to this conversation.

 

it's a bit of a stretch, but with the gearing of the 4500, that gets you as close to a daily-drivable 1st gear (5.61) as you're gonna get & would carry the rest of your gears longer to where you ultimately highway cruise @ 1700rpm. you won't have great acceleration, obviously, and would definitely have to downshift.

the tough fact here is that neither new venture transmission is good for "sporty" driving or feel.

 

Did you already mention this, are 4.3 S10 NV3500s a better gearset?

 

yes & yes

but no