First off I'd like to thank Kevin and everyone that responded to my threads about the install..you guys were all a great help. Ok onto my review you can check out mywebsite for the install http://www.geocities.com/foff667/98Camaropg5.html this will help anyone doing this on their ls1 car tons as some of the pitfall might not have to be reproduced now. The directions by TCI were right on for about 90% of the stuff but 2 things i fell into were the 1/2 accumulator diagram being wrong for my tranny and the reinstallation procedure. The accumulator housing was said to have on spring in it and one on top of the spacer plate mine had two springs in the housing and none on top of the spacer plate...also the piston was on top of the springs instead of underneith just making it a little confusing. I put it back together with the one new spring under the piston like it was stock. Secondly, the instructions werent quite clear about how reinstallation went for the valve body how it concerns the tranny shift lever...i figured out the hard way that you need an extra set of hands to get the lever in place while the body is hanging about 2 inches from the tranny itself. Other than those two things if you take your time you should be fine as im definitly not thee most mechanically inclind person and was able to do the install on my own other than hooking in that latch. On to the first test drive...hits hard when put into OD or D...a little softer in R but still noticeable...it was mentioned that changing your LTRIMs might cure this but i dont have ls1 edit yet so that wont be for a while as its been said that if the LTRIMS are off and the computer thinks your lean i beleive it will add line pressure causing this...it isnt a big deal for me and since others have had it im not concerned. 1-2, 2-3, 3-4 all hit much harder than ever before...no more cadillac slide into the gears...1-2 doesnt kill you at part throttle like some kits but is very firm...though i havent had a chance to bring it WOT because of rain the last few days i can feel shift time being much quicker. Those concerned about TM and how it relates...dont worry at least in my 98 its had very little negative effect that i can tell...for $75 this is the best easiest kit to install and even with a small set of tools and some jackstands more than likely youll be able to do it fairly easily.

Thanks again guys,
Bill

 

I'm glad to here you're happy with the TCI kit. I was wondering how it affected your downshifts. I, for example, feel that my downsift into 1st from 25MPH is much softer after I installed my converter. I was hoping a shift kit would cure this. The TCI kit is becoming more appealing to me since I plan on doing the install myself.

Jeff

 

i dont feel any difference in downshifts only up through the gears...got to drive it on some better roads today and its definitly alot tighter in all gears but not crazy as far as chirpage...just really tight firm shifts which is what you want anyway...i say for the price you cant beat it...like i said i did the install in my garage with no help until when i needed to put the valve body back into place with basic tools. 8, 10, 13mm sockets, snap ring pliers, flat head SD that was pretty much it if i remember correctly...other than using the rubber mallet to get the piston loose. My install beginning to end took about 5hrs of actual work...but i was very tedious in doing everything and doing it right...if i were to do it again it would probably take 3 from the time i went to my garage to completion. Relized it does reflect the work/$ ratio some places charge for the install though.

lata
Bill