Go with the Tremec 3550, you'll have to get a bellhousing too, but no more worries about breaking it unless you really try. Should run about $1500 for a brand new 3550 and a McLeod BH from D&D.
I have the McLeod BH, just waiting til I can afford a clutch to put it on, only want to do this once. I bought it for piece of mind, ever since I saw a guy in a new SS spin his clutch right through the bottom of his BH on launch
If the clutch would have shot up rather than down, he'd be missing a leg.
Anyway, if you have the bread, opt for the TKO (or a T-56
), otherwise the 3550 should do ya fine.
I replaced my trans with a Z a couple years ago and am kicking myself in the *** for not spending the extra $300-$400 now. I just had my T-5 rebuilt about a month ago (wouldn't have happened if I'd bought the 3550).