Alright, so I've been trying to get a shift kit installed by a transmission shop here. Seems pretty easy, I just can't do it myself because my apartment is pretty strict on letting you work on your car in the parking lot. I won't be driving my car down to my parents for a while, so I don't see myself having access to a garage anytime soon either.

Anyway.

Do shift kits really exist for these cars? Does the term 'shift kit' refer to two different things? I've seen the write up on here which says 45 minute install time, so I figured at a shop labor would be $50ish plus parts which isn't bad.

But EVERY shop I've talked two have said one of three things:

1. They don't make shift kits for these cars.
2. If you put a shift kit in, it will run better for awhile, then the computer will relearn and lower shift pressure and it will be just the same as it was before.

and the newest one i just got in an email...

3. Shift kits on this vehicle are not for high performance but for driveability. And not that I want to dissuade you any way, because we do them, but you are looking at a fairly expensive proposition. Shift kits on this vehicle can not be done in car, because of the channel plate issue that needs to be addressed. So there is remove and replace time of transmission, and valve body, then a gasket and seal kit along with the shift kit. Fluid of course, and probably a few other incidentals when all is said and done.

I mean REALLY?

If anyone lives here in Sacramento that knows of someone that can do this for me, let me know!

 

its pretty easy to do, first of all they are for performance and simply extending the life of the trans by relieving the pressure in a sense that allows for the smooth shifting the pussies want, not that hard firm shift us men went...

 

?????

 

more pressure = less slip on clutch packs= firmer harder, faster shifts (w.a.s.p.)

 

You should explain to those shop owners how this kit installs and then of course not let them do it because they don't seem to know what's going on.

 

The guy from your third response must not understand or know that we have electronically controlled transmissions. Valve body mods with springs, spacers and check ***** were back in the old days... like pre 1993. lol. I did a a shift kit on my 700R4 1989 Formula Firebird. It was a total bitch. The GXP was like an oil change by comparison.

 

And if anyone tells you the transmission has to come out, they are either full of **** or stupid.

 

In addendum, I'd also forward the link to this and the shift kit install thread to these "shops."

 

"To install a shift kit into this transmission the trans. has to be removed from the car to get to the valve body.
your looking at about 1000-1300 dollars"

 

Its springs and bushing inside of the accumulators.
Yes there is a shift kit its made by Trans Go

You can do the 1-2 and 2-3 shift kit accumulators from underneath , you do need to pull the trans to do the 3-4 shift kit.

 

Did you read the sticky?

 

I was wondering where you can purchase a shift kit for my 06 impala ss. Thanks all.