I have the B&M Ripper. It takes about a 2-3 week timeframe for it to loosen up a little. It IS a tough shifter. As I've mentioned on this site earlier, I have the a$$weight to handle it without a problem. I have not tested any other shifters, but I can tell you this..... the B&M shifter is light-years better than than stock crap Chevy gave you.
The install is similar so find out which one you like and go for it....
As a side-note... on another forum, one guy missed the 3-4 shift with the stock shifter and tore up the engine. (The rev limiter doesn't help if you release the clutch thinking it's in 4th and it's in 2nd.) My advice (I've raced in the 70's), get yourself a shifter YOU like. It doesn't matter what others like. I personally like the ripper, but it's a touch shifter for daily driving (to 5th, and 6th IMHO).
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Thanks for the memories Dale.
Delivered 1/19/01 - Z06 Quicksilver/Black
Nickname - "Silver Bullet"
Installed - custom license plate, exhaust plate, B&M Ripper, Flameball, CAGS