new guy with 72 impala coupe

[thomasm5]

I got a 72 impala coupe that i aquired 85% complete. It has a 454 block w/396 heads, a turbo400 tranny. iwas told by my cousin that it needed a rear end. well since i have already been drivin a little, i think he meant a diff gear ratio. what kind of gears would compliment this setup best? I want to drive on the highway as well as smoke the tires on the street!It also has a 4bbl holley carb and a edelbrock performer intake, pics coming soon! Thanks guys.

[stovens]

Hey there Mike. These guys should steer you right. Lot's of Chevy peeps here who know lots of usefull stuff! Welcome to the club and looking foward to seeing this beast at work!

[falconvan]

It's a trade off with 3 speed automatics; great off the line or great highway cruising manners. Personally I'd do a 3:23; a big block should smoke the tires off the line regardless, plus this will give you liveable 70mph RPMs. Of course your best bet would be a 700R4 with a set of 3:73s but if you're keeping the TH400, id go this route. Great car, I like them early 70's Impalas