MA5 5-speed to 5.7 hemi?

Not to hijack as this may be relevant to your search for an inexpensive manual transmission option. Have you given much thought to the later modular mustang transmissions?

The T45/TR3650 are on my list of possibilities(providing i keep my car, long story).

That's some cool stuff! I looked for both of those, but didn't find one before I found the R154 I have. They don't sound like bad choices at all, and if you can buy a QT bell for it, even better.

I wish QT or someone would do up a bell for the R154/AX15/NV3500/AR5/MA5/etc. mounting surface, sure seems like it would have lot's of uses.