When I pulled the 1bbl Type 1 (50-ish hp) out and plunked the 2.2 Subaru in Bridget (137 hp, 140 ft-lbs, 1920 pounds with me in it) it would never have occurred to me not to change the gearing to better match the engine. Triple the power!
In my case it was an easy decision because the old gearbox was bone stock and I knew I'd need a stronger platform anyway. Putting the 3.44 ring and pinion in it was the obvious call. The .93 4th gear made the most sense also, from a 3-4 "chasm" perspective.*
Since even this most modest of Subys makes torque from idle up there's really no downside to it and no need to pine for a 5 speed. Of course, this car is a cruiser, not a dragster or a track toy.
Same gear ratios work very nicely in the Spyder with the low-drama 1914 (120 hp, 125 ft-lbs, 1700 pounds with me in it). Which is unsurprising give that the power-to-weight ratio is the same in both cars.
I know, I know...I'm a damn broken record. But Dave and Three Pedals are newbies so it's my duty to steer them down the righteous path, toward the shining city of Sanity, before you wolves get to spending all their money and exiling them to the Dark Wilderness Of Ceaseless Want.
*it's not a chasm.