Transmission!!???!!! HELP!!!

Have you considered having the 3 speed rebuilt? 3 speeds are much cheaper to rebuild than 4 speeds. If you swap to a 4 speed, there will be a lot of additional expenses. Plus, if you buy a correct, "good" used transmission that fits perfect, how mad are you going to be if it starts grinding? I think the easiest AND FASTEST way to start enjoying your car is to have your current transmission rebuilt. Have you considered tearing into it yourself? When I converted my car from an automatic to a 4 speed, the used transmission made noise going into 3rd. I rebuilt it myself. It took a while, but it was pretty straight forward. 3 speeds have way fewer parts, synchronizers and gears. I bet you can do it.