I had a '91 Westy (2wd) auto tranny for 3 years and recently got an '87
Syncro Westy manual. The auto was great. Tough, and once I got used to it
learned to use it a little like a manual on grades. The kick-down feature on
mine was crisp and would really help when needing to "shift-down" using the
accelerator pedal. Because I'm not a racer, my driving hasen't changed much
since getting the manual, related to acceleration, but I have more driving
control using engine compression than with the auto. It's also more "crisp"
on acceleration than the auto. Doesn't seem to lose the power used to
"drive" the auto.
Others here have talked about putting up to about 230hp motors in their
autos without any problems, so they appear to be "robust" as you've said.
They'll probably chime in on that.

Bob

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