Automatic or manual?

I've been a SBM stick-man since 1970. Sure I've had some teener-autos along the way.Some with Semi-auto shift kits in them, which I liked a lot.
With a big motor like that, and a 4 speed, I think,you will be powering through the gears so fast the fun factor will wear off real quick. With the A/T, it will remain in each range just a little longer.
However, with a hi-stall, that gets old too. The auto will let you run a slightly bigger cam without low-speed problems.So, if you're running more than about 250*@050, I imagine an auto would be the way to go. I ran a 292/509 in a 360-4spd, which they say is a 248* cam. In a DD it was not the best choice I ever made. I now have a 230/549 cam, and am much happier. If you have plenty of torque down low, you may find yourself doing a lot of shifting with a stick.
If it was mine, And I was going to track it now and then, I'd put in an A518, and run a little gear in the back, depending on usage.
I voted auto.