Are Shift Kits worth it?

[Reflector]

Well I love driving a manual, but the conversion is too much of a hole to put in my pocket. However, Dad being an EFI specialist and mechanic, he can install a shift kit no problem.

Just want to know, to anyone that has one, do you enjoy it? What stage is it? Do you have/would you have any problems with the engine after 190000+ k's on the clock?

[S2_VR_]

no engine problems... but i've been advised not to do shift kits if you auto isnt good...

dude i've seriously seen manual conversions for like 300-600

if you must get one though. go for a stage 2 transgo shit kit, with corvette servo..

also stage 3 is completely manualised auto... so you have to change gears manually

[Reflector]

Yeah I've read up and stage 2 seems the way to go. Hmm, define the auto not being good? I know for sure mine doesn't have major problems, maybe some fluctuating revs between gears if I'm driving it normally.

$300-600? Dude that can't be including the gear box and all necessary items... can it? I've never seen them that cheap, $4500 is the cheapest I've seen

[sircruisealotVS]

Shift kits are awesome mate, amoung one of the best things you can do to improve the drivability of a commodore for a small price.
I wouldn't worry about your engine, it's not going to be effected using a shift kit - if anything is going to happen it's going to be in the 'box, but as long as it's not abused and dieing already it'll be fine.
Best kit for the job would be a transgo, whichever stage you like, and if you desire a really firm 1st-2nd gear change then you can put a corvette servo in as well.

[Philthy]

I have the RVO stage 2 shift kit in mine and its so much better to drive.

It annoys the drunk girls in my boot a little bit at low revs but if you turn the music up you can't hear them whinge

[DannyboyDS]

i have the rvo stage 2 shift kit in mine and its so much better to drive.

It annoys the drunk girls in my boot a little bit at low revs but if you turn the music up you can't hear them whinge

wtf? Hahahahaha

[Philthy]

wtf? Hahahahaha

What I meant to say is....

No wait, that IS what I meant to say.


In all seriousness, the 1st - 2nd change is pretty harsh

[Reflector]

lmao Nice.

Well my cars pretty loud to most people now anyway (extractors -> cat -> resinator ->twin dump)

But yeah, I've recently been driving it through the gears but I definitely want firmer changes,
So which is the best brand to go with?

[S2_VR_]

Transgo....... they're a US brand.. Very Popular... i was going with transgo, but then i bought a T5...

[Reflector]

where do you buy them from? I can only seem to find B & M ones on ebay... hows the quality of them?


EDIT: Woh ok, yeah found one, bit of a price jump lol

[S2_VR_]

ok any good trans joint will have them, or auto barn MIGHT!!... the B&M shift kits on ebay aren't real shift kits APPARENTLY... they only lk $90, but the transgo's are about 250??? i think...cant remember..

ebay usually has Transgo kits

[S2_VR_]

TRANSGO SHIFT KIT STAGE 2 FOR 4L60E VR VS VT VX VY VZ - eBay Automatic Transmission, Transmission, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 26-Aug-09 20:31:09 AEST)

[Reflector]

haha yeah man, $239 for it, definitely would be better than the $90 one (one would think )

[Chris E]

Manual conversion are really that cheap, for parts only, I got mine for 500$ with everything even an ecu, add 200-300 for a clutch your done.

What they mean with the condition of the auto is that if you get a 200 000km old auto and put a shift kit in it a lot of the time the hardware in the gearbox gets thrashed by the savage shifts, sun shell or something? something with the planetary gears... Can't remember exactly but thats what a few different transmission guys told me.

Manual is awesome. 100% worth the hassle I reckon.

[Reflector]

lol ok well I'll think about everything, thanks guys

[mking]

how much are you looking at for a stage 2 to be installed by a trans shop roughly?

[Reflector]

Well my dads a mechanic and he said he should be able to install it now worries so really... Cost of the kit + a bottle or bourben , why do you ask?

[Kurtp]

Ive got a stage 1 in mine, it's great, gives the car that extra punch in 1st & 2nd, but is still comfy to drive over long distances. Car has done 235 thousand, but has been reco'd about 6 months ago. is running well.

[shiftySLE]

don't expect any power gains, you only get gears holding, a lot less gear lag and if done right, a box than can handle more power if you do engine mods, good racy feel but, I say do it, I've done kits in every auto I've had, some had to be backed off but a transgo is pretty basic and good for the street, its pretty much softer 2-3 springs and stuff.


I just read the transgo kit on ebay, has a few extras by the look of it but the description is a bit vague, maybe a bit exaggerated too.

[mking]

lol i ment how much roughly would it cost to get a stage 2 installed a mechanic or trans shop.
my bad

[sircruisealotVS]

lol i ment how much roughly would it cost to get a stage 2 installed a mechanic or trans shop.
my bad

You'd be best off getting a quote from a trans place for an accurate answer.But to give a ball park figure most places will fit a shiftkit and do a service for around $300-500 (depending on parts cost really).

[macca_vr_calais]

i just brought a brand new transgo stage 2 shift kit i put in my self its not hard and since buying it i have not regreted one bit best performance mode you can do to ur car besides a performace chip

[mking]

i just brought a brand new transgo stage 2 shift kit i put in my self its not hard and since buying it i have not regreted one bit best performance mode you can do to ur car besides a performace chip

really did you need to put the car on a hoist? i put a corvette servo in my old car and that was enough for me lol deffinently got over laying on my back under a car

[pillzor]

this is next on my list so im interested too see how the costs turn out.

[s65481]

how much are you looking at for a stage 2 to be installed by a trans shop roughly?

called the local transmission shop

got quoted $450 for kit + servo

Victoria though