Actually its 01 and up with better power. 01 and up had the LS6 manifold. However...dont let that be a limiting factor. You can make them all quick. I have seen some F bods in the $8k and up range lately.
As for auto or manual...its a toss up. Both have their downside. However there are clutches readily availabe now that can take 700 rwhp for relatively cheap. You just wont be ET quite as fast at the track.
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if it's cheap & reliable, it ain't fast, if it's fast & cheap, it ain't reliable, if it's fast & reliable, it ain't cheap
