Why not go with a wideblock 4g63 or 4g64 and a Starion tranny? I know the motor is a direct swap and I would imagine the tranny would be relatively easy. Just the same, I really think the auto is the way to go.
My buddy's RX7 is getting a 350 or a 383 and we're teetering between a T-56 and some auto. I think the auto is going to win though, I dont think Mike really wants to shell out $1500 and waste the time looking for and traveling to get a T-56. With all the red neck dirt track racers around getting an auto wont be hard at all. He's got an 85 GSL SE that we were going to put it into, but he decided to put it into his 83 instead.... its getting stripped, gutted, and motor is coming out tomorrow

.