Typically the gearbox in a petrol car will be designed to give say 100kph at around or just over 3,000rpm. A diesel will be getting towards the upper end of its rev range at 3,000rpm. For example my diesel Octavia does 110kph at around 2,000 rpm. So in a nutshell if you use a typical petrol car gearbox a diesel will be undergeared. There are some petrol gearboxes from the early Golfs (4+E for example) that have relatively high gearing particularly in 5th gear that might suit. I'm pretty sure that will not apply to any of the modern gearboxes though.
Yes the final drive ratio is important. The lower the number numerically the more suited it will be for the diesel assuming the gear ratios are the same.
Sorry I can't help with the other questions.
2001 Bora 4 Motion Sport now used by number two son
2011 Skoda Octavia Scout now with Underground Performance tune
2010 Jetta 125 tdi dsg for the misses - Impressed
2006 Polo GTI - Enhanced by some of Gav's magic - Absolutely loving it
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