Easy. There is no penalty for traction devices or DOT drag radials. Manual transmissions, with traction, can "stall" up to 4000 rpms and dump the clutch. This will bury a stock converter on hole shot every time. Plus, if it's a 4-speed, it will be lower geared than the auto.
Now, if you notice, when you start to add aftermarket converters, the auto ends up with more penalties than a stick.
Trust me on this, I've lined enough stock 318 2bbls up, auto vs stick (even 3 on the tree), and if the stick doesn't win it's due to traction, or a bad driver.
