Transmission & Differential - Auto DX 4-door, worth modding?

this is my girlfriends car. its a four door with a d16y7, auto tranny. i thought it would be fun to get it up to 150-170 whp, but people talk alot of smack about auto tranny cars. i was wondering if there was a major problem with racing in an auto, or is it just that people prefer 5 speed because they are more fun. by the way i drive a dodge dakota, and its a 5 speed, but my girlfriend REFUSES to even try 5 speed.

Well, for small disp., generally low-powered cars (most civics), the car will actually be faster with a 5-spd. Plus, they are sooo much more fun

Heard that FER SHER

not only are they faster, but you can get a much better start off the line in a manual because autos have a torque converter. And of course manual is so much more fun.