The "Get together" down under would be WONDERFUL. I've never been to Australia but will one day.
Funny you mention 60' times. There is a drag racing computer on the Internet at
http://www.prestage.com/carmath/ that allows you to enter various numbers and it does the math for you.
As far as beating up the Driveline your absolutely correct that it beats the hell out of it. One of the reasons I put a Ford 9" in this car. The 9" won't handle like a IRS but it should have no problems staying together under a light car with a "mini" motor. 390 ft/lbs of torque is pretty low compared to what the "big boys" are making.
Now to the HORRIBLE Grand National engine removal. Thank GOD I've got a lift. I put it up and disconnected everthing I could get my hands on from underneath. I even took the Motor mount NUTS off so I could lift the motor up a little and slide the bolts out. Drained all the fluids so I don't leak trans fluid all over the place when I lift them out. What a pain in the *ss. I'm going to use a Billet Comp cam but have to change the timing chain to a different type, use a bronze gear for the cam sensor, and a few other things. Oh yeah, new rod and main bearings, HOPEFULLY can keep the cam bearings but will have to check them. Oh well a couple of weeks of work and I've have it done. Hopefully we'll see some low to mid 11's out of it which isn't too bad for a Big Black 3600 lbs V6 sled with Air conditioning.
Well I'd better get back down stairs and continue to label wires that go EVERYWHERE...
See ya,