[Buzz]

With 580HP, 550 + ft/lbs torque and slicks with a T5 in a heavier than "normal" replica, you may find that the 1/4 mile takes much longer than you expect. Your T5 might not make it all the way down the strip. You're sort of caught between a rock and a hard place because you need a chassis & tire setup that will hook up hard but the life of your transmission depends on some of that torque going up in tire smoke. I have a T5 behind a 383 SBC stroker (long story) with a claimed 450HP and 450 ft/lbs. So far, it has survived a previous owner who loved to entertain the masses with smoky burnouts and donuts. I drive it fast and I have done a few hard launches on a concrete strip, but that is with 60 series BFG's out back and they boil up big time. I would be reluctant to try launching hard with slicks. My Unique weighs just under 2400lbs with a 1/2 tank and no driver and my best (unofficial, hand timed by a co pilot) measured 1/4 mile run was 12.27 secs with a bit of wheelspin in first and second. If your drivetrain holds up, you should be faster than that, especially with slicks. I was going to swap out the T5 when I first got the car, but some of the guru's here suggested I leave it alone until it breaks. Their much appreciated advice on everything else was sound and so far this has been no exception. Question: if you're spending for a 427 stroked Windsor, why settle for a T5 and not a stronger box like a TKO?