I'm going thru the same process. I originally thought I'd go N/A so I bought some Steeda U/D Pulleys (never put them on) and was getting ready to buy their Timing Adjuster, headers, exhaust, P&P heads, etc. As I started figuring out the cost to build a strong N/A motor versus F/I I changed my plan and bought a Paxton Novi 1000 (it will be installed next week

!). More bang for the buck. As for a Short Throw Shifter I'm going with the Steeda. As for the first mod I'd recommend gears (either 3.73's or 4.10's).