are there any precautions i need to follow when removing the stock shifter? a friend with an eclipse told me that there is a cable that will retract if i don't hold a certain part tightly. i'm a little hesitant.

I don't think there's a cable. I think there are install instructions on RRE(www.roadraceengineering.com) or mach v(www.machv.com) on how to install the B&M. Check those sites out under drivetrain sections.

i have the b&m shifter.. changed it out in 5-10mins.. there is the shifter linkage cable.. that needs to be secured when finally reattaching to the new shifter, but its an easy install. just follow the instructions.. i dont really seen any precautions aside from making sure the linkage is secured after it is attached to the new one.

I have a shortened stock shifter (got mine from hurricanegs on this board for 40 bucks if you want you can hit him up and he will make you one too) and I didnt have any probs installing it, it was really easy. Nothing will retract when you try to install it. Think about it if that were the case that would mean tension would be on the shifter all the time and hopefully you dont have any of that so dont worry about it. GO FOR IT MAN

the linkage should just sit there. Nothing should have tension on it that I know of. Or else the car would not go freely into all gears.

yeah i was trying to say what 9d9 did, his explaination is just clearer