I agree with most of what you said but this. Weight reduction does help but isn't needed. My 12.0's on stock motor was with full leather interior, battery mounted up front, spare and jack still in. (I alos drove it like a girl). As for the tranny, launching isn't bad on it, it's the shifting that is, my stock T-45 is still going strong. Plexi glass windows is for race cars! And yes gears do help but I was on a tall a$$ tire with only 4.10's so my gearing wasactually like a 3.73. All that you said will help but isn't needed.