It's possible to fit the cable shift into pre-98's. If you can find the tranny, shift tower, cable, and all that's related from a junkyard, all you need to do is to swap everything over. It's not easy, but it can be done. I seriously considered doing this when I had the engine out because the cable shift MTX-75 has a much better shift feel.
If that's too much trouble for you, cut the shifter. Link to my how-to is one post up.