Try going out and pressing the clutch in, then popping it in neutral. If the rpm's drop then, I'd bet that the clutch is going and isn't fully engaging.
I actually went from a cut stock shifter to a B&M short shifter (at 50% reduction) and I saw a HUGE difference. My 5th gear shift went to where my 3rd gear used to be.
To answer the question, you can cut about 2" out of the stock shifter. You can lose about an inch in the middle part of it, and then another inch right above the pivot point. When I did mine I put a small metal dowel rod in the middle (since it's hollow) then re-welded it to ensure strength. I...
The throwout bearing that comes with the SACHS kit is plastic and will make noises while the clutch isn't pressed. I recommend chipping out the extra $30 and getting an OEM one.
I had the SACHS clutch in my old n/t and it was better than my stock one. The modular means that everything is already assembled (flywheel, pressure plate, clutch) and you just have to bolt it up. I do suggest going to a dealership and getting an OEM throwout bearing though.
I've seen plenty of n/t-> t running more than 9psi. Plus there have been many people running insane amounts of nitrous on them with only fuel upgrades. I said there are more products for them, I didn't say that it was only n/t parts. Its a shitload cheaper to turbo a 4g63 than a 420a. The 2gnt...
4g63n/t still has the same rods as the turbo version, just a little higher compression so the internals are nearly as strong. It's also easier to upgrade the 4g63n/t since there are more parts out for it.
The engine design is good, and you can make a lot of power out of it, it just takes money. The head gaskets are common to go out because they decided to stick a paper head gasket between an aluminum head and a cast iron block.
Glasspack and resonator have some differences. The inside of a resonator looks like a straight through muffler on the inside so it wont hurt performance as long as you stay with the same size piping.
Cold-air intake is an extended pipe and places the filter behind the front bumper. Dont even bother with a short ram intake as the stock intake flows just as good.
Judging by your time, I wouldn't listen to this guy.I'd say some of the cheap things to do would be pull out your air filter, and lower the front tire pressure.