Which to mod? XR6 HP or VCT or Fairmont Ghia?

[El Sucio]

Hi people,
After much ummming and ahhhing; I've decided to stick with an AU XR6 for the next 5 years and bomb it out.

I've done my research on a BA/BF XR6, an R34 4 dor/Typhoon/etc. I've even considered a 1999 BMW M3. Gone through a whole list of cars but keep coming back to my current ride.

SO here I am, I already own outright my 2002 AU XR6 HP 4spd Auto. I want to limit my spend to approx $25K - $30K MAX. The following is my list of wants and my expected spend.

350 - 400rwhp turbo motor - $10K
6spd manual - $8K
Upgraded brakes and suspension - $4.5K
XR50 style bodykit with bonet bulge - $4K
Upgrade the sound system - $1.5K
Reupholstered seats (Herrod style would be great) - $???
Fairmont style high series dash - $???

That about covers it..a lot of money to spend but I think ultimately a fully customised AU XR6 to be far preferablle to a BA/BF. I know a few people with the BA/BF and I'm not overly excited by them, plus my AU is Narooma Blue which I really don't want to part with as it is the prettiest coloured car I've ever owned.

Okay - after the long winded intro here are my questions. I've done a search but cannot find a lo of info. I've left a couple of queries with Automotive engineers/high performance places without any feedback either.

I want to start with the best sorted AU I can to maximise my results for the dollars spent and to minimise any problems.

1) As I am performing the 6spd manual conversion, would I be best off starting with a 5spd manual car in the first place?

2) I currently own the HP motor/solid rear axle version. Would I be better off trading my car for a VCT/IRS propelled XR6? WHich suspension set up would handle the 350+rwhp better?

3) Would the VCT motor respond better to a $10K turbo upgrade spent on it than the HP?

4) I REALLY want the Fairmont high series dash (ala create a TS50 style turbo six...or an AU F6). Is it a pretty straight forward conversion to rip out the XR dash and put in a Fairmont one? Would a motor trimmer be able to do this while they reupholstered/bolstered my seats or should I go to a smash repairer?

Any useful info would be great. I'll be starting the project come March-ish (courtesy of a rather drawn out divorce process) and I just want to start off with the best car possible. I really don't want to be halfway through putting the 6spd manual in and the mechanic tell me "you should have started with the 5spd manual" or someone else tell me that I "should have done an XR6 look alike Fairmont Ghia" after I've already spent $18K converting my XR6 to turbo 6spd.

Thanks folks..once again sorry about the long post. I look forward to commencing the build thread very soon.