Huh....that's interesting.... Never seen a T-5 take that beating. You must have a bastard T5 or something, either that or real low off-the-line rear wheel torque.

HTe Tremec TKO should be more than plenty for the Cleveland. I've never done the swap (to a Tremec) but word is the bellhousing is slightly different. Not so different that you couldn't take an earlier T5 bellhousing and modify it a bit. I think the two lower mounting holes for the tranny need to be filled and re-tapped in a slighty different location near the old ones. The pilot length may be the other concern. Hang aroung some 5.0 Forums and pick their brains, they'd have all the info you'd need for such a swap.