We used to race a lot of T/A's in high school with my friends '70 Olds Cutlass 442 (455ci).
From what I've seen, those have great mid-range torque. (But they never did have enough to pull the 442!
) I then raced the 442 with my, then new and stock, LX. I got the jump on him but he passed me while I was in second gear
.
Anyway, with gears and exhaust, I say you have a fighting chance and to go for it.
Oh yea, don't forget to post the results.!