Didn't look at T56's as the I figured the cost would be more than a TKO, and from what I found the 3550 isn't a whole lot stronger than the T5, and certainly not as strong as the R154. It doesn't help that there wasn't one even available. A TKO would have been my favorite option, but no way I could swing it.
I don't think I have $1000 into my setup yet, and that includes the transmission, the adapter plate and the Spec stage 3 clutch.
I wish I could just do the TKO, but my family has to come before my cars, so it's either as cheap as possible or not at all. :-D