Killed the engine? I don't know how the air shift itself could have caused that. All it does is actuate the shift lever with a 3/4 dia. air cylinder set to about 100 psi. Works great for me and most everyone at the drags. Now if you are idling at 1500 rpm and running 1.70 gears, you will be better off with a clutch, although lots of guys still run a plain old air shifter.
DJ