ok ...so exactly how hard is it to put one in, and does the tranny have to be dropped at all?????

 

According to what I've read the tranny does NOT have to be dropped. I do believe the pan has to come off though.

I'm sure someone who has done a shift kit, or knows someone who did will come along and tell us about it.

I plan on dropping a Transgo shift kit in mine with the 1-2 vette servo. Tire chirping shifts would rock, so would WOT in 4th gear.

 

Pan needs to come off, valvebody needs to come off too. 1-2 and 3-4 accumulator springs changed/shimmed (depending on what level of firmness you desire), depending on year (instructions will say) you may need to omit a checkball or two and/or drive out a roll pin to change a spring for some other fluid circuit in the valvebody(its been a long time). Also, they may give you an upgraded valve or two (in valvebody again), and you will change the pressure regulator spring (requires removal of a snapring).

Definitely get an upgraded servo--some of the transgo kits have this and its better than the vette servo (this was on a '95 T/A). I put a B&M on my 1991 Z28, and highly recommend AGAINST B&M shift kits--Transgo feels much better and I have heard more positive things about them.

I think this job is pretty easy, it just requires a clean work area and attention to details--I'd guess a person with average capabilty an afternoon to complete, or the whole day working slow.


EDIT: Forgot to add--after driving an auto with a fierce shift kit, I will NEVER go back!!! I LOVE firm shifts, and the chirp when you are really on it is SOOO satisfying!!!

 

the only hard part is lifting that damn valve body back up while keeping it exactly level with arm, and trying to put the damn center bolt in with the other.

Very strong arms are a must. (or a freind)

 

yeah, ive looked under there, it looks pretty scary to me, i dont like how it looks. way too many small parts for me. id loose something.

ive also never done tranny work other than drop the pan , change the filter, and add an external cooler.

 

yah and not losing any checkballs, AND keeping everything lined up.

its not too hard though. i had a friend help install mine. took us a good 5 or 6 hours.