What kind of car are you planning on starting with?
Up until a couple of years ago I ran stock engine cars and never had a problem. I had an engine built by a local shop and ran it for 2 years with no problem. I just ordered a crate engine from ATK engines for an altered I'm putting together. I hope I don't have any problems with it.
It's a low compression (8.5-1) 454. I can run pump gas. Even though pump gas is as much as racing fuel used to be. :roll: It dynoed 449 hp. No giant killer but should run in the high nines in my car.
The biggest thing, don't over rev it. Too many guys have the "go fast syndrom" and torture their equipment.
So I might be a couple of tenths slower but my stuff stays together.
In my stock vehicles I always let the cars shift themselves. It's more consistant and I figure GM knows better than me what the best and safest shift point is.