Power is one thing, torque is another.....

Spot on Nigel.

the maximum torque of both engines arnt to far apart either (stock specs) however torque and power curves are different. the v8 will have a much greater bottom end torque and max torque is lower where the 6 is much of the opposite

if your breaking these gearboxes with your v8 by simpily accelerating then there must be a torque threshold of these particular type of gearbox. how much torque is your engine producing?

It was a fair bit - mind you my 4.1 also prduced a lot of torque.

This was back in 93 or so.