I know you said you don't want the NV trans...mine held just fine with at least 400 ft lbs of torque at the crank...with street tires. I know a guy who's got his reg cab dakota into the 13s on slicks with a supercharged 318 and an NV3500.

if you keep your build mild, the 3500 will work ok.


or, you can source the Supra trans, those are much beefier than the NV3500, and some guys have put them behind their small blocks with the AX-15 bell housing.

but in general, yea, if you go with a TKO or a T-56, it's the same cost regardless of if you go small block or big block, the only part that's different between the 2 is the bell housing and possibly the flywheel depending on how your engine is balanced.