87 Dakota engine swap.

besides the torque, i dont think a stock 318 is packing enough punch to rip a gearbox up, unless the motor is rated at like, 90hp and the gearbox is barely good for that.. but as far as i know, GM is the only one bad about making weak transmissions :)

did you know GM had a 2.8 that put out like, 280hp (iirc), but they had to dumb it down to like, 210 for the tranny because it couldnt take it..
it was a long time ago that i read that article about hydramatic, but i remember the power numbers on the 2.8 had to be dropped like, 80hp.. i was amazed at the figure they put up for that sized motor, i remember that much :)