Questions about some performance stuff

[jmh_95stang]

i was wondering what does a stall converter do exactly? Also, I have a pretty much bone stock gt (95) with a cruddy AODE, I was wondering if I should switch it to a five speed (tremec) or buy a better automatic? what gears should I use?

right now it's a daily driver and it probably will be for a good while.
i do run down the track every now and then a always have street races and run autocross 3x's a year.

thanks for any help