Thinking of getting a shift kit for my '03 3400. Good idea? Thoughts? Any good recommends? It's a relatively stock monte, looking for firmer shifts and longer transmission life really.

 

I put a Transgo shift kit in my LS4 Monte and it was a great investment. I really recommend it for anyone.

 

Ls4-that's 7th gen? I believe I have the 4t65e transmission. Scared of buying the wrong thing though-have a link to the right one?

I've read transgo several times, sounds like that's the brand to go with. Is it uncomfortable when it shifts? Is this something I should install or have the shop do?

 

yeah that's a 7th gen. To my knowledge there isn't a difference but I would contact Triple Edge Performance and ask him. They are known for specializing in these transmissions.

No it is very comfortable. You can tell it shifts quicker and more firm but not to an excessive point. I prefer the way it feels now over the stock sluggish sloppy shifts. You will notice downshifts are much more crisp under acceleration. I did mine myself. Took a couple hours just because I was taking my time. It is right there in the bottom of the pan basically. In your accumulator your replace your springs for a series of new springs.

 

I'll x2 to the transgo kit. I just put one in my stock 3500 impala's 4t65 when I had the pan dropped for a fluid/filter change.

Honestly, it's not harsh at all. IMO, if you didn't know the 'feel' of how the car shifts already, an average person jumping in your car for the first time to drive it wouldn't even be able to tell it has a shift kit. The shifts are definitely firmer though, especially when you drive it immediately before and after install.

With that said, it's not going to give you the rip-the-dash-out-of-the-car harsh shifts that some people seem to expect when doing a shift kit. But it's great for a DD IMO.

 

If you have a somewhat basic mechanical aptitude you can install the shift kit yourself. Get new fluid and a filter while your at it since your going to have the pan off anyway. Usually about 8 quarts for a pan change if I remember correctly. Supposed to be a pretty easy cheesy thing to do putting in a shift kit. Perhaps You Tube has a video on it. It's essentially just a spring and a new enlongated sleeve that fits over your new stiffer than factory spring.

The filter, just pull and twist it pretty good to remove the tube from the drain hole. In reverse push and twist on it pretty good till it is fully seated. Take your time when putting the pan back on so as to not over tighten and strip any of the threads, you can typically re-use your old pan gasket. I bought a new one, but many say it is not necessary to do so.

 

where did you buy the transgo kit from??

 

I second the question.

Also, my goal is a peppy DD not a track car so sounds perfect. Probably about time for a trans fluid change anyway. I've never touched a trans in my life but I've done wheel hubs and axles and do my own oil changes etc. so I would say mildly mechanical is fair. Thanks for all of the advice!

 

I got mine from triple edge performance