Here is my installation photos of the Gotham Racing short shifter.

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You were up front in your initial post and admitted that you weren't necessarily "car or tool savy". No big deal. One reason I suggested just getting an inexpensive ratchet and socket set. If I came off preachy I'm sorry, but I also thought you were getting some bad advice. I can usually tell from the condition of the car, which owners cavalierly go them with a hacksaws or tin snips rather than a ratchet and 10mm socket.
But I also think talk of an "RX7 Spirit" is a little melodramatic too.

 

Nothing wrong with your post at all.. I actually did purchase a tool kit from walmart that day and thats how i got those nuts off.. I just didn't have any way of getting to the nuts that were underneath the metal.. thats when i pulled the metal back, essentially folding it back. No harm done its barely noticeable not to mention UNDER the center console where no1 can see it.

 

Dude, you dont have to explain yourself to these people.

Its your car, and you're performing a DIY which basically means you do it the way you want it as long as the job gets done.

You werent half assing in any way. You didnt have the tools, your installation was being performed on a day when everything was basically closed and you're still learning about your car. No big deal, it was a 3/8 x 3/8 piece of metal that you so called "hacked", and it wasnt really a hack job, you just bent the metal as you said. People here are soo **** like our cars are flawless to being with.

You got the job done, no one can see any flaw you may have had and you're happy. There is nothing more to discuss.

Have fun with the new short shifter man