I want to put a shorter shifter on my 88. Do I just take off the plate around the shifter and then replace the shifter with a shorter one? How hard is it and is there a special one I have to use for myparticular car?

 

Shortening the actual lever will reduce the throw, but it's better to replace the whole unit with a modified shifter pivit. The console comes up and over the shifter after you take the shifter "ball" off. Unbolt the plate and unscrew the main shift rod and then on the trans, unbolt the pivit ball housing and then bolt the new one in in reverse order.