Just took the Z for its first drive since installing the new engine/rebuilt transmission.

THe shifter is incredibly stiff when I try to take it out of first gear. If I just putt around barely revving it, when I go from first to second it is hard to get it to come out of gear. If I rev it up and then try to go from first to second, it is VERY hard to get it out of first gear. All other gears are getting better as I drive it. The whole transmission was very hard to shift at first. But seems to be loosening up the more I drive it. I am assuming that this is normal for a new transmission.

I have a thought that this may just be a clutch adjustment. I just ball parked the clutch adjustment on my slave. It is all the way lose right now.

If I recall correctly, the FSM has some specific guidance on setting the "at rest" position of the slave rod. It should not be way loose as you say, should have a bit of pre-tension on it. Your problem does sound like you are not getting a full disengagement on the clutch.

Does it shift easily with the engine off?

Update. I did something very simple. I removed the console, and shifter boots. Then I applied some grease to the rod that the plastic cup on the end of the shift lever rests. That rod was dry. I put the transmission in first gear, and the applied grease. This way when I put it in reverse , it would twist and push the grease into the housing. The first application made a huge difference. IT felt like it was finally able to move smoothly. The gritty feeling was going and it dropped into and out of all the gears like a brand new car.

I also double checked my clutch engagement. It was a bit off. A few more turns on the adjustment screw gave me a more mid pedal clutch engagement, which feels far more normal. It is raining now, so I will get the console back in tonight and give it a drive when it is over, but for the most part, it feels 100% fixed right now.

I think I was just being a bit of a hypochondriac with this one.