From my experience, a shift kit isn't that hard to do at all. Don't get me wrong though, it'll probably take a good afternoon or 2, but can DEFINITELY be done in a weekend. Make sure you keep track of all your check balls. I can't stress that enough. I was told to never magnetize the check balls when removing them from the valve body (If it'* cast iron). The balls will retain the charge given to them by your little magnet and could lead to a whole mess of problems. If you do take them out, just be sure to remember where they go. THAT MEANS PUTTING THEM BACK IN THE SPOT THEY CAME OUT OF!!!!! They're weighted to sink and shut off flow at a specific pressure.

Also, make sure you don't rip the gasket when you put the valve body back. Your fluid can seep through those tears (no matter how tiny) and cause a mess too. Hope my advice helps!

I'd have to say the shift kit I had installed on my 93 couldn't have been done in an afternoon, even by a pro. There are many shift kits out there. There are shift kits and then there are SHIFT KITS.

HOWEVER, mine was installed by a guy who'* been at it for 20 years, and adds a lot of finesse and extra touches not included in the kit. He considers mine a work of art. Not just the VB, but the whole trans itself.

Absolutely. I would never attempt to install a shift kit on my own, not a chance.
The professional who did mine did an awesome job of it, and really, it speaks for itself. I would return to him in an instant if I had to.
Then again, my trans needed a rebuild to.

I'll take a look at it. Now that I have access to some twin-post lifts at work, I might slip a mech 20-30 bucks to install it for me when they have down time, but thatll be if I dont think I can get it in.

A shift kit modifies the accumulators with stiffer springs and other parts of the valve body. Basically, it allows for firmer shifts. .I'm not totally clear on what was done to willwren'* trans, but I have put several shift kits dealing with the valve body into RWD applications before. Namely 700R-4s and my buddy'* 2004-R in his GN. (Yes 2 of my friends both own GNs as well) Now, I don't claim to know everything about transmissions, but I do understand the principles of their operation. I can tell you that a shift kit typically bought over the internet, unless otherwise stated, contiains Accumulator springs, Valve Body spacer (or instructions to modify your existing one), and accompanying gaskets. Maybe a better servo in there, but those usually come with an overhaul kit or are sold separately. I'm looking at the 4T65-E Technician'* Guide put out by GM STC (publication number: 17001.32-1). I took the components off of the top of my head, but used www.bmracing.com to verify what I put down.

My point is that there are shift kits and then there are OVERHAUL kits. willwren had a complete overhaul done to his trans. A shift kit can probably be done in a couple afternoons. Just don't leave it apart too long, cuz you'll forget where everything goes. Take it from me, it was a month before I got my buddy'* 2004-R back together, cuz we did it in school and had to leave it for a week to go back into theory. We came back and we just went Good luck man.

In a 4t65 the shuft kit can be put in in about 1hr(Intense or Thrasher/trans-go or DIY)

Keep in mind that'* ONE brand of shift kit.

The kit Matt and I had installed was alot more involved and required machining of the valve body, as well as drilling and tapping.

The better part of two days was spent on my valve body ALONE. Similar to what Slow96SSEi mentioned. The reast of the time was on the trans overhaul.

There are many kits out there, and some kits have varying 'level'* of install. Very few people have ALL the options installed on these types of shiftkits, but Matt and I both did.

While you can buy the kit we had installed on the internet, it'* really geared towards professional installation.

The whole point of this topic left unresolved in any sense is whether a PCM can make up for a shift kit. The simple answer is no.

As far as sheer drivability is concerned, the Shift Kit made ear-splitting grins much quicker than the PCM did for me.

Yes I will agree will you are still at low 13s/high 12s a shift kit is better. But once you get to much past that point a shift kit only helps break hard parts (depending level of course). Now thru it all it will help prolong the life of the clutches.

But personally i would rather replace clutches than hard parts in a tranny, just my opinion. I guess I shoulda read more into the original post and not stated my opinion so qquickly.

This is one of the better topics we've had. All inputs included.

We just have to remember that not all shift kits are the same. Some can and some should not be installed by a DIY'er. I've seen one kit personally (actually posted here not too long ago) that was a JOKE. It was ONE spring if I recall correctly.

running stock HP, at WOT 1st to 2nd is a fast snappy DROP into gear, its amazing, worth the money, hands down.