i ran 9.5 bone stock with 2.73s and a 5spd at sunshine, 2.2 60ft time along with that. I've added quite a few bolt ons since which I won't bother to name . 3.73s and nittos should get me into the 8s.

I've heard of really fast aod stangs that are very durable, but I've also heard of horror stories with the t5. If I was you I'd keep the AOD. Put some 3.73s in it, shift kit, tranny cooler. If that car has a descent amount of miles and is taken care of, you should be fine until you start making serious power.