Shifter Question

I just bought an 05 GT that was an older man's toy. He put a bunch of nice parts on it, and one of those was a Steeda Tri-Ax shifter (looks like a Tri-ax anyways). My issue is that I think something is wrong with it.

First off, the throw is pretty long. As long as my 02 GT's stock shifter.

Second and most troubling is that the stick still moves left to right while it's in gear. The first time I started the car for a test drive I stalled the car because it was in gear. I rocked the stick 2"s while in gear and thought it was in neutral. It has an incredible sound while shifting, very mechanical. It shifts properly, but the stick is just so loose that I can't imagine why it would be like this.

With the 02 I could see exactly where the shifter connects inside the transmission. I'm not sure how the 05 works, so I can't even begin to figure out if it's an adjustment, or there is something wrong with the installation/stick itself...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, sir.

I'm certain it's a tri-ax, unless it's an extremely accurate replica. The body and 2 level stick are identical to the tri-ax.