Automatic to Manual?

I have a 96 LX Escort 2-dr HB. It's an automatic with 1.9L SEFI engine. I'm wanting to know would I be able to switch it to manual transmission? Also, what other car type motors would I be able to use to do a switch?
My current motor is stock right now. I want to know what basic stuff I need right now for getting my HP up. My car doesn't really get much accel until I get to about 30mph @3-4rpm and on up. I'm going to stick with this car and do alot with it. Also, I'm going to be getting a Honda Civic soon. But, I'm still going to stick with my Escort and possibly race it and for showstyling. But i just need to get my HP with the basic add-ons then go into hardcore later on.

Anyone going to help me?

Anyone going to help me?

the most basic add ons would be a short ram air intake (AEM) or another company may have one also exhaust ( headers back ) would give you a boost in HP combined w/ an intake.
auto - manual conversion is a much more complicated issue. You need a new trans., clutch assembly, shift column, and many other parts. I have a friend that did it to a neon and it turned out quite nicely, check it out at www.mikesneon.com, it details all the work done and the parts needed

chris adams
zx2002
adams233@hotmail.com