P10 having getting access to shifter...

I got as far as to get the center console off, but i could't take this plate off around the shifter. It looks like it's bolted in with two nuts up top...at the bottom i couldn't figure out how to remove it. Anyone know what i'm talkinga bout?

If you are installing a short shifter or otherwise removing the shifter, you have to work from the bottom. You will have to unbolt the cat from the header or exhaust downpipe. You will also have to remove the heat shield. Be careful removing these nuts. The studs are small and fragile. If you have any rust and you snap these studs you're screwed.

If you are installing a short shifter, you will have to dent in the top of the heat shield or the SS may hit the heat shield. Be sure to reinstall the heat shield.

There are several good write-ups on short shifter installation on various SE-R sites.

I will second that... the install is a major pita... just due to the room you have to work with. If you can, i would HIGHLY recommend dropping the exhuast... I didn't and just worked around it (as i couldn't get the second O2 sensor off) and it was kind of a pain. But the rewards are nice, so it was definitly worth the pain.