Throw in your.02 on Torque Converter Suggestion

I had good luck with Turbo Action converters, as far as off-the-shelf converters go. Bought them both from Mancini, behind a 360 built similar to your 318 they both stalled at 2900. Yours will be lower due to less torque, but it would be worth looking into and I think it would be a good match for your engine.