If you want a sleeper, get an S/C Buick. And if it's a sleeper, why make it look like an SVT? If it's to be an SVT clone, why are you looking at an ATX? Also, nitrous doesn't surprise people anymore.
Now for the real issue. If you can't afford an SVT, you can't afford a 14 second sleeper sedan. There are probably many other things that money should be used for, especially since you can't find any manual-shift Contour in your price range. The Contour is not a cheap car to make go fast, especially in the 1/4 mile. Instead of butchering something that otherwise might go to a good home, buy something more suited to your needs. I don't like Hondas, but a properly modded '89 Civic Si will kick my ass in STS every time, for less money than my car is worth. I'm sure there is a similar bang-for-the-buck car in the drag racing world. I'm sure the Contour isn't it. I love the car, but I know its limitations.
One more note: there are many other punctuation marks besides the comma. The period is a great one, especially when followed with a capital letter. Done right, these can be used to make "sentences".
