To make this more confusing, what is the final ratio of the MB auto trans. and with a 3.06 rear end ratio will I be better off with the manual trans? I'm not interested in boiling the tires off the line but a bit better gas mileage wouldn't go a miss.

It is my understanding that the 3.5 Euro engine had about 60 HP more than does the 4.5 US version. The difference between about 240 hp and 180 hp.

deanyel. The differential ratio is stamped on the rear end. If you are looking forward at the back of the rear end there is a flat tab on the left side just in line with the axle. It is on the surface to which the rear end cover is bolted. There are two numbers there. One I guess is the housing part no. and the other, which on mine is 3.06 is probably the ratio.