I installed mine w/o the rubber boot. The instructions said that if it was too loud, you could re-install the rubber boot on it, but you'll have to trim the boot...
PonyBoy90- ratcheting wrenches will save time but you'll be fine doing the install yourself as long as you have the common tool set. Depending on how long it takes you to get those two 8mm bolts out under the console, the installion should be done (problem free) in an hour or so. I love my shifter and ive never had a proble with it slipping out of gear. Its weel forth the time and money. Also, if you still have the stock plastic clutch cable, take it out ASAP!! Mine snapped in half at the same time. Luckily i had just got my steeda adjustable cluch cable and quadrant in the mail afew days prior. With both, youll definetly see and feel a world of difference. I havent had a problem since. Well, that my 2 cents. Good luck
Icepick- I dunno, my boot went back on no problem.
Na5.0HO- Click on Partshopper up top, $10 cheaper than I bought it from Steeda.
All- You get a little tranny noise with a high-performance shifter like the Steeda. 5.0 Mustangs did an article on it where they used high-temp neoprene as a gasket instead of the silicone and eliminated the noise. Of course, you can also turn up the stereo....
P.S.- I have no idea where to get high-temp neoprene, sorry!
I run a tri-ax in my convertible, love the shifter hate the handle that came with it, thats why I have a pro 5.0 handle on mine. I do run a pro 5.0 shifter in my cobra though and like that one also.
I had a Pro5.0, loved it, got a new tranny and tried out the Tri-Ax, hated it so much I bought another Pro5.0. I'll never recommend the Steeda to anyone I don't hate. I do, however, have one for a Tremec TKO for sale if anyone is interested...
As for those top two bolts, they arent as hard to get at as people seem to think. First of all, you give yourself some clearance by trimming out the console above the bolts. The shift besel hides the cuts so it looks fine when it's back together, and it makes life way easier. (especially if your Tri-Ax treats you as bad as mine treated me, and you end up ripping the POS out and replacing it) Once you have that clearance, it's easy to get on them with a 1/4 ratchet, shallow socket and short (@4") extension. Piece of cake.
This one? It's the lever that comes on the Pro5.0, and the Tremec shift nob. The nob is double threaded really deep inside, that's a lot of why I was able to have it look so low. I can screw it out almost two inches higher with the threaded sleeve design. Love it, right where it is- but I have long arms. My wife doesn't like it much