Option #2.....get a manual valve body for the auto. You still have to shift through the gears, but just in a ratchet action.
Why does an auto sound better? I'm confused by this one.....I thought the sound was more of a function of the exhaust and not the transmission.
Sorry for being a smart ass, but I am in one of those moods today. I am guessing you mean because you cant wind it out to 6000+ rpms. There are mods to the auto that can be done to make it a lot better. As I said, the manual valve body is one, ecu changes is another.
With that out of the way, if you want to swap, it can decently priced. The best way to do it is to go to the junk yard. Find a wrecked manual car....v6 or GT....doesnt matter. Get the bellhousing, transmission, driveshaft, shifter, wiring and plugs, crossmember, bolts, pedal assembly, clutch cable, firewall adjuster, clutch quadrant, console bezel piece......I might be missing some stuff. Get all the stuff, and the swap is not too bad.