Drag Race Advice Needed

At the risk of alienating yet another new member, here goes.
Sounds like a good plan for a guy 60 years old. I'm a little older and am making an effort to get back into it following retirement a few years ago.

To answer your specific question, yes a Torqueflite, and since I don't think Pat Blais is taking any new customers at this point, seems like A&A, Cope, or A-1 Trans just down the road on I-5 would be possibilities.

As for your rear axel and your power/ET goals, I question the choice of the 8 3/4" and think you would be a better off with a Strange Dana 60. I would lean toward around a 4.30 gear, though really not enough details about the weight of the car, tires or the motor. In any case, happy motoring and good luck.