Hazza- I agree the A14 is better with first gear in a light body but I still could manage to take off better in 2nd with the A15 where 1st ran out instantly. I didnt like 2nd gear either but annoyed at the first gear thats all I had left.

Race cars are a different story with peppy higher revving engines hence they never leave a t50 untouched for example if you look at Billzilla 4ag threads youll see his 400kg race car has some serious t50 box mods to get some decent ratio spread with the suzuki engine. Im sure you know the car or heard of his obsessive feats :)

Mike shortening the slippage on the auto reduces the rev drop between gear changes so you can stay in the torque zone to the point where you can almost chirp the tyres easily. A Torque converter engaging at the right rpm also helps by acting like a big flywheel full of energy ready to engage but the question was never about the efficiency of an auto but that it could be made to work out for performance driving over a weaker 60 series and be more enjoyable taking off than a bad spread of ratios like T50s have.

If my Amr500 can make 100 lbs ate + 125hp ate with a single 1.75 inch or 2 inch SU, H2O, good ignition with a stock H89 Id be happy I think with the slightly tricked auto.