One of the best things I ever did was put a long-tail A833 into my 68 Barracuda, AND move the shifter waaay back between the buckets, and up as high as it goes, and install a really short stick onto it. And make my own super-stiff shifter rods. I haven't missed a shift since 2004.
But I gotta tell ya, I also modded second and third gears to what is commonly called street slick-shift, so I can shift at 7000plus.
And I also keep a box of spare brass rings on hand; I have to replace second gear brass fairly often.That's the price I pay for ramming into second like that.
And when it comes to clutches I like a diaphragm style with a factory 340 disc. But again, keep a spare disc on hand, cuz they tend to self-destruct with abuse; but they have a great feel to them.
So plan on taking the trans down every winter for "regular maintenance". If yours makes it thru two summers, you ain't driving it hard enough.lol
BTW; that A833 all cast iron box , when laying on your back under the car, weighs about 7000 pounds. So, get yourself an aluminum case and extension, which will get it down to something like 85 pounds. Not sure exactly what it weighs, but it kindof floats up there all by itself now. I got a Passon Perf box and it is doing well.