Bob, you're not totally off topic, I'm the one that mentioned the 2004R. Members always want to know what you're running to give a good answer so I had to stick that in there. I wouldn't say that the 2004R was a pain at all. I don't want to say it was easy but it wasn't hard. The most difficult part was during installation and that was because no one (that I found) had ever installed one with the engine already in the car. But now I know to cut the extra ears off the top of the trans so they don't hit the underside of the trans tunnel it would have been a 1 1/2 day job. You can read the whole story here:
I documented the whole process from start to finish. But I went the slightly more difficult route of keeping my factory shifter and console. If you're seriously thinking about using a 2004R don't hesitate to ask whatever you like.