+1 on the gears, while it isn't a hp mod the gears will get the car moving quicker of the line and makes the revs more useful persay, improves your 0-60 and 1/4 times. 3.55's or 3.73's are a good choice for a T5 car most guys will swap in 4.10's on a AOD car.
swapping in a 94-95 V6 or V8(not cobra) or a 92-94 crown vic, marc or town car with a 4.6's 70mm MAF is a plug and play set up for the 19lb injectors and is better than the stock 55mm maf, it's better to be at or bigger than the TB, also a bump in timing wakes the motor up, go 2 degrees at a time from the stock 10 until it pings and then back it down 2, run some premium fuel. I would probally stay around 14BTDC for the street though but your motor will tell you. A strut tower brace, 4 point K brace, and subframe connectors should def be on your list to tighten up the floppy chassis. down the road a 3g alt upgrade would be a good idea, best of luck.