Steve
Very nice photos, your wife is lovely.
As for the v8 swap IMO looking at the other projects you have undertaken with this car I honestly feel you would have no problem if you go with the hybryds kit.
Another thought would be to use an LT1 instead. these engines are getting fairly inexpensive with many aftermarket part (for further tinkering
) and look very nice under the hood and the are also very reliable.