Costs more to build a small cube, high RPM, low torque engine then to build a big cube, low RPM, hi torque engine. Scooter will tell you it ain't so, but most of the rest of us have allready learned this lesson.

A small cube engine will run fine, if the car is under 2,800 pounds and either has a 5 speed or a high stall (3000 and up) converter. As for the 4.11 gears, depends on the tires size but probably not deep enough for the amount of RPM you would have to twist this engine to get it in the 12's. Yes, now we'll hear about all the 3500 pound cars that run in the 12's with a 301, just won't hear about all the one's that DON'T!!!!

Might be better off to forget the nostalgia stuff and go with a stroker engine, 383 or bigger, get the car weight at or below 3,000 pounds. Get a good aftermarket stroker kit, aluminum heads with 180 CFM runners, determine your tire diameter and the RPM you want to be at at the finish line BEFORE selecting a gear ratio.

Low RPM big cube engines generally are a lot less maintenance and have increased longevity, too.... Kind of like the old Fram commercial, you can pay me now, or you can pay me later......