I've run a Sachs paddle plate with a stock G40 cover, and it was fine with 165-175bhp and 165lb/ft of torque.
Used it daily when living in Cambridge and did about 8-10k a year in it like that for a couple of years. I used to mainly walk/cycle around town and to work though, and most of the driving was motorway or country ragging. Was a bitch in heavy traffic, so when I started having to drive a lot for work meetings I bought another car!
Current Helix paddle I had re-lined, and it's taken a lot of abuse on a 200lb/ft motor now. That includes hitting it with drag slicks, and previously experimenting with 2nd gear launches off the rev limiter (though not in conjunction with the slicks!). Only issue I have is the cover plate is so stiff it tends to bend the pedal assembly and rapes clutch cables regularly.