Better idea, get a mod. Not trying to plug my own stuff, but my Enhanced 4X Mod has set up the TEC Rebels as a very capable rush faction. If you download the optional minimods, there's ones that make combat faster, and a "deathmatch" mode where income, build and research rates are all much faster.
Just to make sure though, you are playing on faster settings right? Normal settings are quite slow by many people's standard. 
