[masraum]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

If you look at the dyno charts, you will notice that the two more powerful engines don't give up anything to the lower power engine down low in its power band. They make more power across the board.

I think the 300 does actually make less at the lower rpm range. It's just that the low power model starts with power numbers at 2000rpm and the middle engine starts at 2500. I cropped the two images of the 235 and 300 to show 2500-4000. The low powered model is making more torque for quite a bit of that range.
300 vs 235


If you do the same comparison for the 235 vs 390, then you can see that the 390 makes as much or more torque at every rpm than the 235.
390 vs 235

They do not appear to be "peaky", sacrificing low end power for their improved power higher in the rev range. In light of that, I would go with the most powerful motor. You don't have to use it, but it is there if you want to use it.

That was why my initial recommendation was for the 390. He can short shift all he wants, and I suspect the fuel economy and fun will be the same based on his right foot.