input wanted

i have a 1983 z29 305 and im putting in a 396 with about 475 horse...most of the work has been done for being able to take power, im just wondering whether to leave it a standard or go automatic...mostly going to be used as a town car but possibly thinking a little 1/4 racing down the road (and yes i know that auto is a lot easier...but what fun is easy), and as to what the best trans and rear end w/gear would be
and as random question, a buddy said he saw sometime a camaro where the trunk, instead of the normal glass, was more of a style that the Del Sol has, where the profile remains the same but the glass goes strait down...ive been searching a little but have had no success and am wondering if its actually out there...
thanks

Well, if you have the stock 5 speed, it ought to last long enough for 1 partial launch before it grenades. You'd need to get a heavily built manual or auto to handle that kind of power.

That's a notchback hatch you're referring to...
http://i.b5z.net/i/ui/74360/i/notch170.jpg

:22yikes: That looks terrible!

For a fun transmission I would probably go with a T56. You'll need a new rearend for sure too if you have the old 10 bolt in there still.