I can probably answer the shift kit question... used for about a week, if that, broke his input shaft, had the trans replaced, and didn't put it back in.
And there's not really a way to beat a shift kit to hell, I don't think.
Consider the kit sold, I am in naperville, but I will be driving down to U of I on friday and its not to far off from my drive there. Or I could pick it up on my return drive on saturday.
