Need Advice, Mods To A '96 V6

Hi, I'm your typical power hungry 19(going on 20) year old, my first car was this 1996 V6 mustang, which for 3 years has been fine. But now I'm looking to get a bit more power out of it. It's a bone stock 3.8L V6 Automatic.
(When I bought the car I thought it would be easier to learn how to drive, without worrying about shifting gears a decision I now regret.)

What are some of the modifications you recommend to add some new power?
I know about adding a cold air intake, exhaust, plugs but after that I'm a bit lost. I am slightly mechanically inclined and love to learn. Atm I’m running an approximate budget of $5000 for modifications but that will grow over the summer.

Before anyone says go buy a Gt the insurance would kill me, I am still in university (2nd year engineering) and wouldn't be able to pay for both.:headshake

I'd like to reach 300+ RWHP if I could even more but I don’t know if that will be possible.

Thanks in advance
Jeramie

Feel free to e-mail me.

Try check out your problem at this link http://allfordmustangs.com/forums/v6-tech/99911-blowers-1996-mustang-v6.html

if you go to chipsv6specialties.com theres alot of good information to give you a starting point probably nothing to get you to 300hp though. if your looking for off the line performance a set of rearend gears would help alot i think. another option thats just as good as having a GT but doesnt effect insurance is if you just buy a v8 and implant it in your car it would be very easy with a 5,000 budget.