Well since you say a supercharger kit is out of your price range, then the engine rebuild/porting/camshafts will be out of your range as well.
Also a 24 valve swap will possibly end up more expensive than a bolt Greg's supercharger kit. It really depends on how lucky you get when you find that "perfect 24 valve." You know, the one that got written off in 1996 and noone has found it in the junk yard yet. Just needs new seals.
I dont know why a different gear ratio pisses you off. Thats got to be one of the cheapest quick 0-60 things to change.
Also 80km/h is definitely second gear range. No wonder you got creamed man. I used to take my Verde with stock rear end and stock 12V up to 130 km/h (according to speedo) in second gear.
So your best option now is to gut the sucker, get rid of the sunroof, cheese every panel you've got, lighten as many points as you can, lose the power steering, A/C, twin spark bumpers, small fuel cell....
Sorry if I'm coming off angry, it's my finals season.