well i've got a problem with my daily driver and need some help
im hopeful someone can point me in the right direction

ok, here is the story...
i bought a 1996 Ls gmc sonoma early this year with stick shift action for 3 reasons 1. last winter claimed by ford f150 2. wanted to learn manual(my late dad's streetrod is a manual) and 3. fuel economy. After a needed tune up and a new water pump this little truck has exceeded my expectations and so far is more enjoyable to work on than most anything I’ve ever worked on (except my streetrod).

Anyway, after months of practice with stick shift action I came to the conclusion that whoever drove the truck before me did not know how to drive a stick or... they may have raced it… Hard.
It makes noise in all gears (input bearing), its a little stiff when shifting into gear especially 2nd (some clash).
i took a look at the clutch and discovered that there is only about 1/16 to 1/32 of clutch left which explains why is has such a tight friction zone and a long stroke on the petal before it engages. I doubt I caused any significant wear while learning.
Well anyway i took it to a trany shop and they said it would be $1000 just for the clutch! probably one of the many reasons why they sold in the first place. another other reason i… some dumb dumb unscrewed one of the spark plugs so no one would notice that the spark plug wire was dead and that cly. wasn’t firing... i was real happy about that!
For that price I can buy a truck load of manual transmissions from my favorite junk yard!

anyway
After all the research and contemplation I have decided to fix it myself and get rid of that nv3500 crap box because it is harder to work on and i always believed simpler is better.
The Borg Warner t5 seems to be the best, cheapest, easiest, option
So here is a list of questions I would like to ask all you experienced automotive enthusiasts that love American iron and might know what im talking about

1 How easy is the swap from the nv3500 to the BW t5? On a 1996 4.3 sonoma
2 what should I look for as far as input shaft is concerned? ( length, size, spline count)
3 what are the best clutch options for long life, towing and maybe a little racing and how will that effect clutch petal feel?
4 clutch size (yeah I know easy question)
5 will I need to have the drive shaft modified?
6 Can I keep the electronic speedo?
7 will it affect my antilock brakes? (I assume this answer is a big fat NO)
8 will it affect the computers shift light
9 can think of any thing else

Well beside that, I know my way around a Garage and a Machine shop.

Thanks for any help and thanks for reading this
Machinist Dave