What about a new torque converter and lighter\stronger transaxles for my automatic?

Good luck paying the high prices for that custom work , I have yet to see any trany parts for our cars , let alone a hi-po auto kit.

5 speed, 5 speed, 5 speed... :D

I feel you, Q-Bert. I come from a line of American ('78 Camaro, '81 Cutless), automatic, rear wheel vehicles that I had transmition work done (shift kit, strengthened 2nd gear, shifter) and they rocked. Granted, an automatic will never deliver the control and ability of a 5 or 6 speed manual, but they can be beefed up just like anything else. I'm willing to pay the price for custom work. Has anyone done / looked into anything like this?

i dont believe it has been produced yet

i'm not 100% positive but i don't think a stock xb/xa motor can over power the transmission. ( not includiing doing dumb things i.e. neutral drops etc)

But some of the power loss in an auto comes from "slip" in the torque converter.