this was cut and pasted from another sub forum.

i will post this question in the transmission forum too. so regarding the grinding when going into reverse, would you say that that is not an issue to be worried about? i remember reading about the process you describe, and i have tried it and it does seem to work: the lever slips right into reverse. (engaging the lever in a forward gear before putting it into reverse)
i'm curious about your take on a couple of other noises (which i only hear when i removed the shift boot): when i'm cruising at 45-55 mph and i let off the gas a bit i get a grinding rattling noise. 5th and 4th gears if i remember correctly. it's fairly easy to drive in a way that reduces the occurrence of this sound, but it's not my style of driving, so i don't like it.
also whenever the clutch pedal is not bring depressed, i hear a whooshing sound. it goes away if i press the clutch pedal.