I currently am running a 350/300 small block in front of a 700r4 with 4.10 12 bolt. Will be upgrading to a 454 with about 425hp 475tq. I'm not very happy with the way the 700r4 is shifting and the large spread between 1rst and 2nd. I'm considering having the old turbo350 rebuilt and having 3:42 or 3:23's put in the rear. Car is mainly for cruising. Does this sound like a good combo or should I keep the 700r4 and change the rear to something like 3:55's? Appreciate any ideas.

3.42-3.55 with a 700R4 sounds good to me..4.10's is way too much gear,especially with 700's 3.06 1st

Tino, you build that '54 right, and it won't mind the big drop between 1st and 2nd, it will torque right through it. Chris makes a point, you'll want to drop to 3.42s anyway. I bet it wouldn't make much of a difference on the dragstrip with a torquey 454 and the 1st gear of the 700r4. It would with a 3 speed auto though.