[crazypete]

Lets put it this way.... if you know how to drive without a lead foot, you can get the same gas milage out of the car. The car doesnt have to work as hard. With 3.73's, I lost maybe 1 mpg over the stock 3.08's, but sometimes, my gas mileage was the same. I cruise around at 70 mph but I dont accelerate like crazy when cross country-ing. Just easy cruisin. When I went AOD and the crazy OD gear, I was pulling 25 mpg with 3.73's, a carb and an AOD. That might have been a fluke for that trip (the air in maine was good that day) but usually I see 22 mpg with that combo in combined highway driving.

Now...around town, if you baby it, you'll actually GAIN mileage! Why? Cause of better torque multiplication, it will be easier for the motor to push the car around. Just accelerate like grandma and you'll be very pleasantly surprised. Gun it at every light and be prepared to shreik when you get to the gas station.

With gas prices about 2.00 here is MA, I can see why you're concerned.

In my humble opinion.....3.55's just isnt enough to justify the cost (by the way, thats a DAMN good deal). Go at least 3.73 or maybe 4.10 (depending on tire height: 3.73 for 25.5's 4.10's for 26.6's).