Step one with the way you drive is to save for a trans. Getting on these transmissions from a dead stop will break stuff faster than anything.
Edit: Sorry to come off like a dick. Once you ensure the integrity of the trans, read the link in my signature for a lot of helpful info. I say skip all the nonsense and turbo it. Most people go top swap (I know I did) but for the money, a turbo kit is the way to go.