It's all a matter of personal preference. I run a 5 speed Liberty with a fairly low dollar sintered iron disc and adjustable pressure plate. Not a lot of HP but I have gone 5.45 in the 1/8 and 8.76 in the 1/4. $1,200 for a clutch? I don't think that's bad compared to what guys spend for a good convertor and then there's the hassle of sending to someone to cut it open every time it needs tweaked. I can make adjustments on mine in a matter of minutes at the track.
It's a fact that a manual tranny uses less HP so almost any car will go faster with a properly set up clutch and manual transmission, provided the driver is capable.
Yeah, I'm a UMTR guy but I only joined that organization a couple of years ago I have been a gear banger my whole life.
I think rich427 is having a little fun with you guys.
And what could possibly be more fun than this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWCe3Mfm2OU