4 speed ka-booom !

Your vertigate does appear to be mounted higher (better) and more forward
(not so good) than the ramrod.
The e-body guys have it good with the long tail and rear mount that puts a shifter in the perfect spot.
A-body guys not so lucky with their mounting made to work with the bench seats.

Which is why my box has the E extension on it. And the shifter way back between the buckets.
Also has huge rods. Seamless tubes actually, to accept 7/16 or 3/8 NF.Cant recall which I put in there, anymore.