I just installed a ripper shifter in my '01 Z28. I set the holes up like the stock shifter. I just seems like it sits farther back.. Is this normal?

 

I set mine up so it sits farther back, but it didn't seem like it changed very much. I don't think changing the bolt plates make that much of a difference. The shifter height and/or angle difference from stock might be throwing you off too.

 

I had the factory hurst short throw with an LSS. But this thing in 1,3,5 the stick is straight up and in 2,4,6 it is almost touching the console. I have my elbow against the seat to get it into gear. It seems the whole stick needs to be bent forward about an in and an inch cut off it.

 

Yeah it's angled farther back but I don't think mine sits much farther back though, the odd gears sit just past vertical and the even ones seem pretty close to what they were, since the throws are a lot shorter. I guess I'm kind of biased though, I'm tall so I like the shifter further back than most. It's nice to be able to lean a little farther back now and still be able to row the gears.

 

I'm 6'2" I gues it's something I am not used to. I will cut it down and see if it helps anything.