Mike - I don't trade stocks anymore, but T+3 is the way it is unless you are classified as a daytrader is my understanding. To do that you will need at least $25k in your account. I'm not sure if you have to 'declare' to the broker that you are a daytrader.
Of course, the quick and easy way around this is to trade futures. Funds are not held for T+3 and you can open accounts with very low minimums. Probably too low, but that's an entirely different discussion.
Here's the index fut's area on TL:
http://www.traderslaboratory.com/forums/f3/
Other good sites for info:
http://www.cbot.com/
http://www.cme.com/