are shift kits worth it?

[White95]

Is the Trans-go shift kit really worth the $100?? What are the best type of kits to get (Make/Stage #)?? Is a shift kit better than a "shift improver"?? And if I get a kit would it be worth it to a better pan too(types)?.....I need to get my trans fuild drained/changed soon so I thought I'd have a shift kit put in while am at it to save on the install costs. I did a search that answered some of my questions but not all of them. Thanks

[ January 19, 2004: Message edited by: White95 ]</p>

[AlienInv8r]

I dont have a shift kit yet, but plan on getting one soon. But I can answer a few of the questions.
Trans-go is the most common brand for shift kits, and it's also a true shift kit. The "shift improvers" are electric plug-ins that generally don't work nearly as well. Most either say the improvers don't work, or if they do work then they can hurt your transmission since they trick the transmission to shift harder by increasing line pressures (something like that). So be sure you do get a true shift kit. The Trans go has all the stages in the same kit, you can set it up with whatever stage you want just you add a few more washers to increase the stages; they're all in the same kit though. I think most trans-go kits come with an install video too if you were to give it a shot yourself. The cheapest place I've heard to get the kits is from KDS Performance, and that's also where I plan on purchasing my kit from. That's what I've learned about them so far, hopefully someone else can chime in though and fill in any blanks I left for you.

[White95]

I'd also checked into a corvette servo any advice on that???

[AlienInv8r]

KDS Sells a trans-go/servo kit together also, might as well do both while your down there. I don't really know what a servo does exactly, but I know they go hand-in-hand with a shift kit.

[Arctc Wolf]

since ur looking at spending the cash on a trans-go and corvette servo, why not go for the KDS mega hoss deluxe rebuild kit? it's between 500-600, and will basically make ur tranny bullitproof. comes w/ servo's, bands, clutches, ect.

oh, servo's provide more clamping area for the clutches to press against. more area means better holding power as well as quicker shifts. transgo kits just increase line pressure to the clutches, forcing them to clamp harder. this will wear them out quicker unless u are religious about keeping the tranny serviced every 20000 miles. to safely use a shift kit like that, better clutch packs should be installed. check out the kds website that the guy listed above. it's got several kits available that are true tranny kits.

[ January 20, 2004: Message edited by: Arctc Wolf ]</p>

[njspder]

one thing to remeber if you are going all out to maek your tranny strong, teh sunshell is the weak link. go to transmissioncenter.net
they have a line of very strong parts that will ensure a long service life with all the power you can make.
even a basic shift kit is worth it. it increases tranny life, reduces shift time, and helps you bark the tires to impress your friends [img]smile.gif[/img]

later
tim

[White95]

what parts do you recommend up grading in order to improve my tranny's preformance and life??? I don't seem to understand much about tranmission stuff.

[ January 22, 2004: Message edited by: White95 ]</p>