Hey if you can make your SS a force to be reckoned with than all the power to you.I'm not here to debate auto vs 5spd because we'd be here all day.It's totally up to you but at some point you have to start weighing whether you're going to be happy with the auto or will you always be wondering what you're car could have been with a 5spd.For some people they wouldn't care but for others it would eat them up inside and make them miserable.
Cost is the other huge factor is it worth modding the auto,is it worth swapping trannies,getting a LSD,etc???
It all boils down to what YOU want not your friend or someone on a web forum.If you're going to be satisfied with a sleeper a SS that runs low 15's/high 14's and have gobs of torque than go for it.That alone would be a potent enough "street" combination.You won't beat everything but you might surprise a few and even yourself.Good luck.:thumbup: