WOW! What a difference it made! Since I've been keeping everything stock on this car, I forked over the $200 for a stock unit from the stealership. I also replaced the cat conv. AND back due to rust and a hole in the exhaust. Im glad I went with the entire assembly because as soon as i dropped the exhaust, and disconnected the 2 arms the entire shifter assembly fell out! 
Yes, that means the plate inside the car was still attached. The new shifter and exhaust still look very close to each other but it has improved shifting soooooooo much!! I'd rather have a short shifter but this will suffice! Just thought I'd share this with everyone. Between R&R the shifter assy. and the entire exhaust from the front pipe back, took a little under 2 hours. Not bad for a little weekend project! Now its time for a 
Yes, that means the plate inside the car was still attached. The new shifter and exhaust still look very close to each other but it has improved shifting soooooooo much!! I'd rather have a short shifter but this will suffice! Just thought I'd share this with everyone. Between R&R the shifter assy. and the entire exhaust from the front pipe back, took a little under 2 hours. Not bad for a little weekend project! Now its time for a