stage 2 shift kit VR

[VZHSV]

thinkin of getin a stage 2 shift kit for my VR berlina v8
heard the prices are around 400-1000 ????
also been recomended to add a corvette servo if i get a stage 2???
details bout a stage 2 shift kit please?
and some feed back on how they are etc cheers

[Grennan]

Ok first off, the price. 400-1000, if you get quoted that then look elsewhere. Most places will do them for around the 250-400 mark, some places even do a tranny service while there there.

I havent got one personally, but i have driven cars with stage 2 shift kits (with corvette servos) and what it basically does it improve shift speed and really gives it a nice kick when it changes. Some other people on here can enlighten you more when it comes to specifics about the kit itself, but thats the general jist.

The reason why people recommend getting the corvette servo is because it has a larger surface area than the original one and it gives the kit that nice kick when the car changes into second.

General feedback is good, a lot of people are happy with them when they get them.

Just one thing to note. Some people damage their gearboxes a bit faster than usual by chucking shift kits in the car. If you happen to give your car some guts around town and your transmission is in bad shape i would avoid a shift kit. One thing you could do is when you do your next tranny service take it to someone who also fits shift kits and just get their opinion.

[VZHSV]

ah yea thanks for that mate but yea i do use the gears in my car sometimes but
i wouldnt say i give it a hard time always gearing up n down.. car has done 138,000 ks hoping that i wont have to rebuild my tranny for a stage 2 shift kit??
coz if thast the case im not going to bother. i live in melb s.e suburbs any sugestions were i can take my car??

[1991_Vn2nV]

Ok first off, the price. 400-1000, if you get quoted that then look elsewhere. Most places will do them for around the 250-400 mark, some places even do a tranny service while there there.

I have no idea where the 250-400 mark came from but its not correct. Perhaps you are thinking of the electronic shift kits?

Well anyway first off a Stage 2 Transgo shiftkit is atleast $190 just for the kit and thats a cheap price. Secondly, you basically have to do a tranny service as you have to use new oil, filter etc. There is a reasonable amount of labour involved, not just installing parts. The seperator plate needs to be drilled in several places, plugged in 3 and further modification to the valve body. So finding a place that will do the shiftkit, service including oil, filter, gaskets etc. as well as labour for $250... Then you've found one hell of a bargain. For a Transgo stage 2 shiftkit + corvette servo you're looking at $500 installed most often more. Any cheaper and its a great deal. B&M kits are cheaper ($100 less) and easier to install but not as good as Transgo imo but you could get one done for $400 if you shop around. Some transmission places have their own 'shiftkits' which basically just involve the modding of the seperator plate and valvebody without the parts so they're only charging labour. Obviously cheaper but going to be inferior as well.

I have a stage 2 transgo shiftkit, corvette servo and 0.500" boost valve and my shifts are terrific. The needle jumps forwards everytime the car shifts and it chirps second gear everytime with foot to the floor.

[1991_Vn2nV]

ah yea thanks for that mate but yea i do use the gears in my car sometimes but
i wouldnt say i give it a hard time always gearing up n down.. car has done 138,000 ks hoping that i wont have to rebuild my tranny for a stage 2 shift kit??
coz if thast the case im not going to bother. i live in melb s.e suburbs any sugestions were i can take my car??

With low k's like that there should be no need for a rebuild mate.

[Grennan]

There are a few people from Victoria who come along to the cruises etc who have got stage 2 shift kits for 300-400 bucks. I was quoted "around 300 bucks" from someone at Race Shift.

It just pays to shop around.

VR304: Give, i think its Trans Diff a call, they are located in Bayswater, im pretty sure thats where Cobez got his shift kit put in and he said they did a good job.

[VZHSV]

thanks for the replies guys appreciate it ... but yea i would pay anything upto $500 to know the jobs done proper and the trannies been serviced..
for a rebuild on my tranny im just hoping its all sweet and nothing is startin to wear out since i use the gears a couple of times lol

if ppl dont mind could i get some help with wat i would actualy tell the place i want?? do i say i want a stage2 shift kit with corvete servo or will they already know to put that in as standard

[Grennan]

Some places dont put it in as standard but some places will. Just ask them if they put it in when you book it in, if they dont ask them to do it.

When asking for a quote just tell them im looking at a stage 2 shift kit for a such and such car and then ask if they throw a servo in. Most places wont charge you extra for it, but then some do. Do a quick ring around but dont book it in over the phone, find the best place, wait 2 days or so then go into the shop and ask for a quote. You sometimes find that going into the shop to book it gets you a better deal.

I also found with some places like trick shift and race shift, they ask you if the car has any mods, or are you planning on any mods. They do strengthening of the gearbox depending on usage. For example if youre going to turbo or supercharge the car they might suggest strengthening.

But to be honest, unless you plan on running quite a bit of power through it or its getting on in age (yours should be in good nick judging by the amount of k's its done) I wouldnt bother, plus you can always come back and do that if you change your mind.

Hope thats a bit of help.

[1991_Vn2nV]

Do not just ask for a 'shift kit' because you will be comparing apples to oranges.

Choose a shift kit first, then ring around for prices for THAT shiftkit. I suggest Transgo.

Some places will just do the valvebody and seperator plate modifications not an actual shiftkit and obviously you will end up with a cheaper quote. Other places will do the cheaper B&M kit and again you'll have a cheaper quote than a place that does a Transgo Shiftkit.

[1991_Vn2nV]

There are a few people from Victoria who come along to the cruises etc who have got stage 2 shift kits for 300-400 bucks. I was quoted "around 300 bucks" from someone at Race Shift.

It just pays to shop around.

VR304: Give, i think its Trans Diff a call, they are located in Bayswater, im pretty sure thats where Cobez got his shift kit put in and he said they did a good job.

Good info and help in this thread but at the same time you can't compare quotes for something without knowing what you are being quoted for. Trans joints that quote or sell 'shiftkits' when all they do is mod the valvebody and seperator plate are a cheap equivalent that should not be classified as a 'shiftkit' anyway and they should not be compared to a Transgo or B&M kit. They will tell you they're just as good because they will make twice as much money in half the time from their 'homestyle kits'.

I also rang Race Shift and they do their own 'kits' but the guy wouldn't give me any proper information about it. So what he was quoting was not a Transgo kit anyway.

[vsMick]

i got mine done at trickshift for $440. As 1991 Vn2nV said i also get chirping into second and the needle jumping up in speed a bit. Also i have the origianl suspension so its fun feeling the ass of the car bottom out on hard shifts . The guy at trickshift said that on my next service he can adjust the shifts to be firmer, at the moment its on a moderate setting, for no extra price - said he just has to move a pin or something. I found them really good to deal with, the only downside being there location - way out on the hume highway there somewhere, cant really remember.

Trick Shift Performance - The Commodore Specialist