You know what...no offense...but maybe you should just wait on doing anything to your car before you mess it up! Get a ride from a modified car and see what you like. So far what you're describing in what you want to do, would kill your streetabilty. (With the exception of 4.10 gears.) Everyone here has given you good recommendations and it's almost like you think you know more then them to a point. Try to listen to someone's recommendations and go from there. Try to get rides from people who have fast cars that are set up in different ways. Example would be a N/A , blown, or even a nitrious cars. (And get several examples) Don't knock any of it, till you have experanced it. Then you can say if it sucks or what ever. But to compare a truck to a Mustang, is not comparing apples with apples. Besides having entirely different engines and functions... why would you compare?
I am sure you have speed shops that operate near you. Go there and show that your intrested in spending some money there. They will at least give you some sort of demo ride.
My .02 cents.