Update…well I pulled the Hurricane and attempted to install the Performer RPM, but it wouldn't fit. The heads must have been milled so much that the intake bolt holes would not line up, not even close. I have heard of some guys having to bore out the holes to get them to work, but it would have taken too much in my opinion. This Hurricane intake looks like it was milled to match the heads. Oh well, I tried. The cars runs great, I was just trying to get every bit of power out of it and I had the Performer RPM lying in the garage. I'll keep it for if/when I eventually step up to aluminum heads.
As far as the Tremec and 3.42 gears. I really couldn't be happier with the gear ratios. I always use first gear and do not feel that it's too low, and the overdrive on the highway is truly perfect. Now if I were road racing and needed the 5th gear for speed the it would be too high. But for how I use the car it's just right.