Hi,
The automatic was installed mainly because the engine put out so much torque with the paxton's that the 4 speed toploader and clutch couldn't handle it.
Perry.
PS- We were at the Shelby shop tour in Vegas a few years ago. They had an aluminum body on display in the back, said it was Carrol 's personal car they were using for the mould of the csx 4000 series fiberblass cobra's being done at the prison.