i am into top speed. the t56 allows you to run a bit more rear gear and still have a top end. with the 5 speeds you either gear real tall(2.73) and use a .78 5th or gear real short(3.73) run a regular 5th gear and have to use a small shot of squeeze to get past the rpm drop. either way sucks, the second being the more dangerous--just ask rick doria where his haus of pizza vette is.
do you ever race on the highway? if you do chances are your race is over around 125 due to you having to shift into 5th--sucks.
all the other stuff is just minor crap i would rather not deal with. i had to buy an aftermarket(upr) handle to keep my shifter off the console as it is, any more change would just be unacceptable. d/s spacer is cheap, but at high speeds may be the root cause of vibrations and improper slip yolk engagement.
frankly i don't feel the 2.95 is all that big a deal as i don't drag race and the 1-2 split is the least of my worries. my concern lies in the overdrives.
i am not sayin the 5speeds suck, just not my bag. no need to get wound up about it.