On the (used) PRO 5.0 I looked at, other than the grease that was originally packed in around the shift lever and bias springs which originally "glogged" the open area around the mechanism, there was no form of any sealing between the top and bottom of the shifter body. If you looked straight down through the 3" hole you could see light and lots of it! Once its in the car and mounted to the transmission, if you wanted to, you could top off your trans fluid level through the shifter if you wanted! The Hurst has a lip type oil seal around the ball of the shift lever down on the bottom and also gives you a new second boot to seal up topside too. Seemed like a better system, no dirt in, no oil out, so that's why I bought it. As far as a shorter throw, I never compared to a 5.0 or Tri-Ax. I was mainly looking for a nice firm bias spring so it would pull the shifter right into 3rd for me.