8.25 w/2:45.1 gears (darn-it), who has done a gear swap?

UUUgghhh, I wanna poke myself in the eye! I bought an 8.25 for my Dart, and come to find out it has 2:45.1 gears. I have researched the fact that this case may not accept a 3:xx.1 and numerically higher gearset. Ok I can accept that, however, I also read that the case area around the pinion can be ground/modified/clearanced to accomdate this swap. Will it weaken the snout too much? Any truth to these rumors? If so, has anybody done it and can send me in the right direction? Also, if this can be done, will a sure grip (27-spline) carrier fit? I have a carrier from a 27 spline 8.25 truck. Please make my day and tell me this will work. Or, should I weld a chain to it and sell it to the Navy for an anchor? Thanks!!!!  

I haven't tried it yet, but I've got a 3.55 ring and pinion and I'm gonna try to grind out enough to fit it in there.  If anyone has done it before please post on here and let us know how it works.