I have an auto El
Want to make it a manual, but even the xr6's rarely had manuals.
Getting a genuine gearbox seems like an expensive hassle.

Its the generic 4.0l engine right?
What gearbox's will bolt up?

Later i want to look at changing the diff, i hear the drivetrain isn't strong either.
Whats the best solution to get the power to the wheels?

your stuck with a T5 from an EA EB ED EF EL ..
unless u want to spend 5K converting to a T56