what do shift kits do for performance? ... I dont see how they could improve performance if your tranny shifts fine !

 

They play with pressures and passages to make the shifts firmer and quicker.

 

do they make a huge difference

 

The factory puts "slack" in the trans. A Cadillac owner isn't going to want a neck-snapping shift. A shift kit takes all the "slack" out, so when your car shifts, it shifts right away instead of "slowly" changing gears.

But avoid the B&M Shift Improver Kit. I put one in back in '96, and while it made the car feel like a different animal (more peppy all around), the $25 B&M kit takes "shortcuts" that aren't good for trans life.

When I rebuild this 700r4 (I'm on my 2nd rebuild and it's not doing too well), I'll put in a TransGo kit.

While you're installing whatever kit you buy, also add on a B&M Supercooler to keep the trans cooler.

 

is this something an average person can do and will the quicker shifts do any damage to the gears

 

lol transgo is a bit of a challenge, not too bad though, your dog could put a b&m in.