b:

The description of shift characteristics is consistent with the iron box 1-2 shift when the trans is, uh, "experienced". The ratio spread between 1st and 2nd is greater than for 2-3, or 3-4, and as a consequence, the synchronizer receives more wear than on the other shifts. Sorry to say, it is in the expected category.

Some improvement can be made by: 1) ensuring that the clutch is not dragging when released, 2) using a double clutch "pause" to allow the engine speed and the clutch disc speed to drop further during the 1-2 shift, 3) using only petroleum based ATF in the trans, 4) if you can find some, using Type F ATF (Type F lacks the friction modifiers found in Dexron, and as a result allows the synchros to be "grabbier". B&M Trick-Shift ATF is essentially Type F.)