For those that are saying 4.30s are too much gear, I have a few questions for you:
1)Why are 4.30's to much gear for him?
2)How do you know that they are to much gear for him? By that I mean:
2a)Have you tried 4.30's in your car?
2b)What other gear ratios have you tried?
Personally, looking at what the thread starter is wanting to do, 4.30's are a good ratio for you.
I have had 3.27s, 3.55's, 3.73's, and 4.30's in my car. The car was a NPI auto with PI Cams, PI Intake, 80 mm MAF, 2.5" Dual Exhaust, 3800 RPM TC. The car was daily driven with all gear ratios. I have taken this car on many road trips including Regina Saskatchewan Canada to Orange Texas USA with 4.30's with the mentioned above mods plus a mid-length header. The car averaged 24 US MPG on that road trip down to Orange.
I will have to check my excel file at home for the exact RPM, but I remember 80 MPH showing 3000 RPM on the tach of my car on that road trip. I remember 80 MPH was just under 2500 with the 3.73's and around 2000 with the 3.27's.
I never got a good 1/4 pass with the 4.30's compared to the 3.73's. It was not due to tire spinning issues. My 4.30's tune was not locking the TC at the right points like my 3.73 tune was. I do think the car would have been quicker with the 4.30's though had I had the same quality of tune for the 4.30's.
The 4.30's lost about 4 MPG on the highway compared to the 3.73's, they gained about 6 MPG in the city compared to the 3.73's though. My car spends more time in the city than highway, so it was a good tradeoff for me.
This car now has a 5.0L Big-Bore 2V with ported heads, cams, plastic PI intake, 3" Exhaust, 4400 RPM Stall TC with 4.30's. It is currently a daily driven car. It is still getting 20+ MPG in the city and highway. If anything, I am thinking I might go to 4.56's with this car. I will if I have to redo my differential.
Right now, I have 245/50/16 Bridgestone Potenza Pole Position All Season tires on the car for the street. I have driven it in the pooring rain and could still somewhat get on the car without a driving issue. That is with over 330 RWHP N/A at the wheels.
If you drive the car with some common sense, you can have fun with it. You don't need a 15" race tire to enjoy it, but you will need a good street tire.
That is my thoughts and experience with a NPI car and other gear ratios including 4.30's.