Thanks guys for all the compliments, I recomend using a spacer if your having the dreaded t 56 shifting issues like I am, it gives nice leverage, but yes it looks a little off
As for your truck shifter and the shifting issue... there was a post about 1-1/2 - 2 years ago that tells how to properly adjust the stock clutch. The owners manual method essentially puts slack back into the cable so that the clutch won't burn up from being only partially engaged when the pedal is released.
The problem with this method is that if there is too much slack in the cable, when you push the clutch pedal to the floor, the clutch is still partially engaged and makes shifting a pain in the rear. Needless to say I made this adjustment and my car shifted like butter.
I've been down all the "improve your shift roads", and I just think these tranny's fight quick shifts worse than any other, but you are right when you could disengage the cluch further than the stock setup allowed, it did help. Half of the shifting issue are in my head as well, as things tend to plague me once it's in my head. I'm a good pool player, but I consistently scratch on the 8 ball, because it's in my head that it's going to happen, maybe I need a shrink.