I did the install and I put alot of the lube that came with the kit on there. It was very very stiff when it first when on and I tried work it a little by hand before the install.

I noticed I was able to go into 1st today pretty easily at 17 so all may be well shortly if I can just keep my car out of the shop long enough to break it in good.

 

The install was easy enough. It is more of a pain or time consuming taking the center console our or cutting the tab parts off the old shifter to get it out.

I was also able to readjust it without taking the whole console off. It was tight, but I could reach down through the shifter boot hole and readjust the linkage attachments.

 

It sounds like things may work out.