I have really enjoyed the log of your efforts to make this swap. Have you ever thught about a manual transmission. I drive a standard with the stock (mostly) 3.2. I know that he stock manual is lame in the 1st-2nd area, but if you didin't need to burn from a start, do you think it would take the higher torque load. I talked to the Starlight people a couple of years back, and they said that for $15K they would fit a stronger manual.

Good luck on the engine swap. Your open book reaseach will be valuable to others who have considered this swap.
Jack