Just bought a 2000 SS that has had the transmission shift points modified by the previous owner. This thing is going to be a summer cruiser for me, so I'd like to soften the blow so to speak between gears. If I buy an engine programmer that advertises the ability to modify the shift points, will I be able to use it on my car. The work was done by a speed shop in Ohio, but I live in Connecticut. Not sure if I should buy a programmer or go to a local speed shop to see what the can do to help. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

depends if you are good with video games and computers.
with the tool yourself, you can tune or re-tune to your hearts content when ever you want.
if you just want to do one thing , have it done right the first time or two and forget it...
i'd check in'to getting it done.
if you want to go back stock i would guess that a re-programing at the dealer would work, but cost as much as the tool sometimes. lol

 

I don't see that one of those hand held programmers is going to help. I've used one before, and it was able to change the shifts to be firmer from stock not softer, and raise the shift points.
Generally, people don't buy those things to make their transmission act mushier. I would contact the previous owner to find out what the shop did to alter the trans. Did they rework the valve body with a "shift kit", or change the servo to a Corvette style or even more radical, or who knows what else? Without undoing exactly what was changed, you're not going to be able to get it back to stock specs.

 

ive seen some tuners for ls1's that are capable of reseting the car back to stock tunes but like what was previously said it does matter what the shop did wether they installed a shift kit or etc. i used to live in CT wethersfield to be exact whereabouts are you

 

If you're talking about the Power Programmer, yes that's right. But, once the car is programmed with the hand held unit, that unit can't be used on any other car. And, that programmer has to be the one to set the car back to stock specs, or any other changes he may want to make. If one of those was used to alter his computer, and didn't come with the car, he's f'd as far as resetting the computer the easy way. He'll have to pay someone to reset it.

 

You could always go to a Chevy dealer and get the computer reflashed back to stock.

 

I think I would just lift my foot of the gas to lighten the shift.
I have to do that when my wife is in my camaro. She hates how hard mine shifts.

 

you guys are all correct and I appreciate all your comments. Since I posted the question, I have contacted the previous owner and found out exactly what was done to the transmission. He told me HP tuning was used to modify the shift points at a speed shop in his home town. I've since taken the car to a local speed shop that uses the same tuning software and he is writing me a new tune as I write this. He agrees with me that the shift pressure is way too aggressive for street use. He promises to write a custom tune that will crisp up the transmission and eliminate all the harshness I'm experiencing now. Till then I just have to ease up on the throttle to take away the neck snapping shifts. Is it OK to launch the car in 2nd gear? The 1st to 2nd gear shift is the most aggressive. 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th are decent.

 

The transmision alway starts in first gear, regardless of what number you select, unless it is equpped with a SGS button.