Rich,
Gee that is a tough one. Marlin runs the most consistant 14.4's that I have seen. Seriously-I cannot bring myself to risk the original drivetrain. You know perhaps if I had blown the engine up earlier in life, I might be more risky with it, as you may know in the LT-1 7500 comes up really quick and things get scary fast at those RPM's.
Original motor in your car?
Phil