What to do to get a quicker launch...

John's right. A 8-3/4 is quick to swap out but a 8-1/4 rear is alot more work. If you have a lift it isn't bad but laying under a car swapping gears isn't a real joy compared to just swapping out the whole 3rd member. Also if you do much hwy cruising 3600 rpm is really buzzing hard.

I run a PTC converter and it works real good. I ran a Mopar perf. converter first and swapped to the PTC and I like it alot better. Drives nearly like a stock converter when I'm putting around and when I step on it it flashes right up to 3000 making takeoff's effortless. They reasonably priced too.