Understand more of the issue now, remember Grumpy Jenkins in his toy making one great leap off the line & powershifting (are two ways to powershift a Municie and do not try without at least a Competionn Plus with the HD rods:
1) From first gear pull back as hard as you can on the shifter with right foot flat on floor and just bat the clutch
2) From first gear pull back as hard as you can on the shifter with right foot flat on floor and just bat with right foot. Left does nothing.)


Either will work 9 times out of 10 and is the fastest way to go. Of course was a time when everyone carried a spare trans and a Muncie needing a rebuild was a $25 item. Was even slicker if you ground every other tooth off the synchro rings & filled with ATF. Don't try with an early Muncie having the small input shaft, case will split.


Personally I'd rather not scatter a MB trans all over the road, suspect it would be more than $25 and don't carry a spare.


Do agree that first can be useful if you know how to speed shift, anything else and 1st>2nd just feels awkward. I'd rather start in second and just accept that a clutch will only last about 50k miles.


That said my '86 2.8 V6 Fiero GT had a four speed and 4th was the same revs at 70 as the XF. Always wanted another gear in it also.