Im trying to find a shift kit for my 3.8. I found a website called transgo.com and they seem to have a lot of styles but i have no idea of what one to get. Does any body know what i need or can direct me to another site or possibly take a look on that site and tell me which kit i need?


thanks

 

Are you looking for a shift kit or a manual valve body? Transgo makes both; their shift kits are for quicker/harder shifting whilst their reprogramming kits are essentially manual valve bodies. I opened up a thread about Transgo a while ago, should have manual valve bodies in the title. I would suggest reading that thread as there was some good information posted.

 

What are the benefits of a shift kit? I hear they are better for the tranny, but anyone care to give a shift kit 101 lesson? ;-)

 

If I remember correctly, Transgo claims that their shift kits reduce the amount of time it takes, in between gears, to change gears. By reducing that time, there is less friction/wear on the tranny. The reprogramming kits get rid of the automatic function of the transmission and make you, the driver, have to manually shift through the gears. Transgo has a whole write up on their shift kits and include graphs and what-not.

 

Shift kits don't reduce the amount of time on the 4L60E. That must be done in the computer itself. BUT the TransGo shift kit does make it shift a lot harder and cleaner making it seem quicker. I have one in my car and the shifts are very crisp and clean.

This actually helps the transmission because it reduces wear on the transmission gear plates and doesn't spend so much time spinning the TC freely waiting for the shift. There's no real proof but I could see why.

 

failed devices- Thanks ill check that out. i honestly have no clue if its a manual valve body. ill check that out soon tho. can u gimme a list of what number shift kit i would use if i had a manual valve body and then another for if i didn't?

Libertyforall- it makes the shift harder and faster. i believe the bands on the transmission grab harder and release faster causing a faster shift.

If i get a shift kit do i really have to shift through the manual gears? because i believe i only have manual 1 and 2 so gears 3-5 would b in Drive. Or could i possibly just throw it in drive and stay like that?

 

The shift kits retain the automatic function of the transmission, it does exactly what Evilkal said. The reprogramming kits are essentially manual valve bodies. These make you have to manually shift through the gears; disabling the automatic feature of the transmission. Your gear selector has the following: 1, 2, D, and OD. 1 would be first gear, 2 would be second gear, D would be third and OD would be fourth (The 4L60E has 4 gears). Look up some youtube vidoes of cars with manual valve bodies and shift kits. I had contemplated putting a manual valve body in my car, but I opted out after I priced out how much it would take for someone to install it for me.

Was it you that made the transmission swap thread before? If so, you may be real interested in the manual valve body. Definately find some videos of people using it and see if it is something you might like.

 

So the wear it supposedly saves is on the clutches then?

 

So the $3 Million question is why isn't this done at the factory?

 

That's the theory, yes. And it's not done from the factory because most people prefer smooth comfortable shifts rather than quick firm shifts =P