[...]
On an entirely separate topic, I also installed the new style Neuspeed
short throw shifter. Here's a how-to on that, though it's so easy it almost
doesn't need one.

Installing Neuspeed new-style short-throw shifter.
Previous Neuspeed short-throw shifters, as well as most others on the
aftermarket, were a replacement for the shifter assembly itself. Now,
Neuspeed offers a new type that replaces the shift selector under the hood.
At $240 from Neuspeed it isn't cheap, but it is extremely easy to install.
In addition to the Mk4 Jetta and Golf, it will also fit the New Beetle, as
well as the 180 hp (5 speed) Audi TT.

The instructions it comes with are straightforward and easily followed.
Using channel-lock pliers, unfasten the clip the fastens the intake hose to
the MAF sensor. Move it back (ie, to the left) onto the hose. DON'T remove
it, because it is very hard to compress it enough to get it back on.

Next, unfasten the electrical connection to the MAF sensor, and unplug the
air breather hose where it connects to the airbox. Remove the two bolts
that attach the air box to the car and remove the entire airbox/MAF sensor
assembly. It takes a little wiggling back and forth but it should come out
fairly easily.

You can now easily see the stock shifter assembly, which looks very much
like the Neuspeed part, except it is silver and the Neuspeed shifter is
black. The difference is the relationship between the pivot and the
attachment point for the shifter cable, which alters the geometry and
shortens the throw.

Next, detach the cable that comes from the shifter. On cars up to 2001.5
this is a ball joint and you simply use a screwdriver to pry the cable
upward off of the ball joint on the selector. On cars 2001.5 and onward
there is a pin instead of a ball joint. The cable is held in place with a
clip; just pry it off sideways and lift the cable off of the selector.

Examine the stock selector and see how it is installed with the selector
mechanism, and then unbolt it and pull it off. It takes a little wiggling
back and forth but it should come off without too much trouble. Put some
grease on the curved portion of the selector and fit it into place just
like the old one. This takes a little wiggling back and forth but isn't too
difficult.

It is very important for the selector to be installed in precisely the
right position, and so one of the splines on the selector shaft is much
larger than others. There's a corresponding wider spline on the selector,
so there is only one way for the selector to go on. DON'T force it. If it
takes force you have it misaligned. I used a flashlight to illuminate the
area and that made it very easy to see where the wider spline was.

Once you've got the splines aligned and the selector in place, push it down
onto the shaft. It will be a little harder to put on than the old one was
to take off. As you bolt it into place that will push it the rest of the
way down. Replace the shifter cable. Now, try shifting all the gears. All
five plus reverse should engage smoothly.

Next, replace the airbox in reverse order and you're done. This entire
process from start to finish took me less than 20 minutes, 10 of which were
spent removing and replacing the airbox.

This shifter doesn't reduce the throws between gears or across neutral, but
what it does is considerably reduce the point of actual engagement of the
gears. It completely eliminates the rubbery feel of the VW shifter and
gives it a much more notchy feel like a Japanese gearbox.

As I said at the beginning, a little expensive but like most Neuspeed
products you get what you pay for. Improved shift quality and unbeatable
ease of installation definitely make this worth it.