Bob,
IF it helps at all, I've never had so much fun with my car, as I do now. It's a stick. Maybe that's something you definately should do, even if it's slower. It's just plain, MORE FUN.

My best auto time was 11.0 at 120mph with a 1.56 60'
My best Stick time is 11.4 at 121mph with a 1.68 60' (only 7 runs so far!)

But the car leaves HARDER with the stick and it's a blast to drive. WAY WAY WAY more fun now.

I know what you mean about time and family. I don't drive my car nearly as much now (5yr old and 3 month old baby girl now!). But they all fit fine in the car with no roll cage.

Just put in some 3 point harness retractable seat belts front and rear, and you'll have a safe street car that you can have FUN with at the track a couple times a year.

I'd put a stick in the Dart, take out the cage, de-tune the engine, and have FUN with it for a bunch of years. You can always ramp it back up later in life!

I could never do racing all the time, at this stage of my life. Maybe 20 years from now I can do it more.