i have a question about the shifter, i've noticed in many pictures(and in real life) that there seems to be something screwed on the end of the shifter, my question is does that come off? or does it serve some purpose

 

it doesn't screw off...nor is it screwed on....it has a rubber sleeve in it that is bonded to the main shaft. its there for vibration dampening for the "normal folk"

 

if you are referring to the shifter extension (the thing that looks like is holding the shifter cover up, then you can unscrew that and have a really slik looking short shifter, lookes and feels better than with the extension on it (the shifter that is)

 

I repeat...its NOT screwed on....if you want it off....you will be required to put a LOT of heat on it and twist it off with vicegrips or something like that...and once you do...its not going back on. Plus you will need to use an aftermarked shift **** that has set screws in it to hold it on...OR get the proper size dienut and thread the end of the shaft that is now exposed.