The biggest problem with autos for smaller engines is that they produce less torque (at least off boost) and so the convertor for a 4cyl is 'looser' by a long way than that of a larger engine. But it will only stall around 1500-2000rpm.. Since you brought up trimatics, putting a 'stock' gemini convertor behind a 173 or 202 will get you an instant 3000rpm stall. The same convertor case can be used (though the input shaft and therefore impeller splines are different on v8 trimatics) for v8s too with some mods.

Since the 4cyl only stalls it at (say) 2000rpm, it 'seems' tighter, but make no mistake, it isn't a tight convertor. And on decel, it'll have lots of slippage. And that's what makes em so bad. For drifting at any rate.

There is another option (yep, yet another one) and that 'might' be useful. Lock up convertors. Generally they aren't 'supposed' to be locked up for full power, just for light throttle economy cruising. But I do know of a bloke or two who have very fast 2jz powered cars that actually engage the lockup convertor toward the end of the 1/4mile and run quicker as a result. Now it might not last 200,000km with that sort of abuse, but clearly they can handle things well enough.

It could theoretically be linked to a push button (engage button to disengage the lockup convetor - maybe a floor mounted button, a bit like a clutch) and when it springs back, the convertor lockup clutch is applied.

You could then take off from a standing start easy enough, then lock up the convertor, and run it like a normal manual, with lightning shifts.

It could work, but I'm just thinking out loud. It'd be nice if someone well funded experimented with it, but I'm certainly not in a position to do so right now.

I should probably also point out that on a personal level, I much prefer manuals, love driving them, and even in situations where an auto could make the car quicker/more consistent down the 1/4mile, I still like manuals.