I dont find the 253 m20 & 3.08 sluggish in first or reversing up our steep drive way. I have driven most of the setups mentioned including the supra 5 speed with 3:08, but the worst was my hz 253 m15 with a 3:55 couldn't even get from melbourne to glenrowan with out filling up. As others have said 4 barrel carb extrators and a nice tow cam make the m20 & 3:08 a good allrounder