i have a 96 uk impreza, i wanted a quick-shift for it but they changed over at 96 and mine is the older type of gear lever so they are not available. Would it be the same if i just cut an inch or two off the top of my gear lever and retapped the threads for the ****?

 

by doing that you are not actually reducing the throw. the short shifters actually change the distance the gear stick has to move to dissengage and re engage the gears in the gear box. cutting it down will just affect leverage