Transmission/shifter question

What else are you planning to do with the car? How will you use it? The 3550 will take more abuse than the T5 - but if you're not gonna abuse it, MANY t-5's out there are holding up just fine. If you're gonna supercharge it the 3550 will stand up better to the torque of a boosted motor than the T5 will. Of course - you have to do some chassis/suspension/tire work to get the traction to really put the tranny to work in the first place.

Good luck with the project.