I'll do the side shift conversion this year, I hope, and plan to get the linkage parts, then get a side-shift trannie, take mine out, compare gears and sliders, take the least worn from each, then put it all back in the side shift case and assemble the new linkage (with new shifter bushings, and if I win the lotto, a Rennshifter!)
Everyone I've talked to agrees the difference between the tail and side shift trannies is like night and day - Waaaaayyyy better. I love driving my tail shift '72, but could never be at all competitve due to the sloppy shifting I have to deal with. I read somewhere on here "it's like stirring mashed potatoes", I agree!