[jim_howard_pdx]

Check out Mustangs Plus. I am not sure they have a lot of 5.0 stuff, but they had 4 point cages with rear seat access, and were selling the front 2 point pieces to build a 6 point street type cage.

I think you will find that the stiffer chassis will have more control at launch and be more predictable at every shift.

At 11 seconds, a change to an automatic will not net you much time. It will only provide you with consistent times. Even then you will need a high stall converter and a trans brake. If you run an AOD expect to pay at least a thousand for one that really cooks at the track. I like B&M and Lentech for AOD strip transmissions.

If you want to go fast, and want a street car just stay with the 5 speed. I really like cornering and autocrossing. The 6 point cage will help you there too. Your car will be safer. And you will be amazed by how much better it corners with a good suspension. My early 66 mustang has about a .94 G cornering ability. The shop that helped me with subframe connectors has early mustangs running better than 1 G. In 100 ft circle that means the car can exceed 70 mph. That is cornering ability. You know what they did to get more than 1 G?????

They put in a 10 point roll cage. Just like you find in any 9 second quarter mile car.

Hope this helps. Give Mustangs Plus a call. If they cannot help you, I am sure they can point you in the right direction.