The cockpit width is the same as the AA-5, but the seats are mounted down closer to the floor. The view over the panel is a bit different.

My AA-1B with the 0-320 and a 58″ pitch prop does about 1,000 fpm climb. I have taken it up to 15,000 in the summer at gross in the past.

Mine does not have any gear leg clean-up and no wheel fairings. @ 75% power burning 9+ GPH I will see about 135mph at close to SL. If I throttle back to around 120mph, the fuel burn drops to under 7, which is close to what it did with the 0-235.

The advantage is T/O and climb to altitude, where you can lean the engine out and get good TAS. With the standard 22 gallons useable fuel, you do make a lot of fuel stops while going cross country.

I am building up an AA-1 Yankee with a 0-320 and plan on putting all the fairings on it. I am hoping to see something around 160+MPH cruise with it.

Hope this helps.