Shift Kit

[megax29]

Many of my friends talk about shift kits like its nothing and everyones got it. I believe they are lying most of the time they say yeah my car/truck has a shift kit only cuz you can't see it. Is there any way to know for sure, like a test or something to verify the existence of a shift kit? I want to put in a shift kit in my car: 1) What performance gain should I expect, will it make enough difference to feel, if so how will it feel? 2) How much should I expect to pay for parts and labor? 3) I've heard B&M is the way to go anyone have a link to the website or order number? 4) Will I need some sort of installation kit, if so what's the info on that?

[STEVE]

Do not buy a shift kit. Do the J-mod. The B&M shift kits are garbage.
D&D Garage -- *updated 5/17/06*

[megax29]

It looks like the J-mod is out of my mechanical understanding. Is this mod well known enough to take it to a shop and request a J-mod? This holes that you're making on the tranny plate, who came up w/ it and how can you accurately measure its exact location? What's the performance gain from this mod?

[slvr2000stang]

PA makes a great replacement valve body.
It is however in the $400 range.

[STEVE]

Quote: Originally Posted by slvr2000stang PA makes a great replacement valve body. It is however in the $400 range.

A manual valve body? I would say the J-mod would suffuce for hiom.

[STEVE]

Quote: Originally Posted by megax29 It looks like the J-mod is out of my mechanical understanding. Is this mod well known enough to take it to a shop and request a J-mod? This holes that you're making on the tranny plate, who came up w/ it and how can you accurately measure its exact location? What's the performance gain from this mod?

It is designed by ford engineers I believe. You can print out those instructions and a tranny shop can do it.

[STEVE]

It is not to hard to do it yourself however.

[megax29]

Where do I find this print out by ford engineers? How much should I expect to spend on this?

[megax29]

I think I found something. TCCoA Tech Articles I just don't know if it applies to my 2004 3.9l automatic Mustang.

[slvr2000stang]

The PA valve body is a full Auto or Manual.

Put it in D and it does the work for you. You can also get it with a built in trans brake.

[slvr2000stang]

Quote: Originally Posted by megax29 I think I found something. TCCoA Tech Articles I just don't know if it applies to my 2004 3.9l automatic Mustang.

Some of the holes the instructions say to enlarge are already enlarged in the stock 99+ valve body.

All that needs to be done is the hole enlargement, no parts need to be replaced.

[STEVE]

I already posted the link.

[megax29]

I called to get an estimate for the mod and wasn't able to clearly ask the right question. I asked if they heard of a j-mod they said what the heck is that. How do I get an estimate from a mechanic for this mod? How much should I expect to pay?

[STEVE]

Quote: Originally Posted by megax29 I called to get an estimate for the mod and wasn't able to clearly ask the right question. I asked if they heard of a j-mod they said what the heck is that. How do I get an estimate from a mechanic for this mod? How much should I expect to pay?

Take him the instruction sheet. Or do it yourself, it is a great way to learn how to work on your car.

[megax29]

He called back after looking at the instructions online and quoted a $470 for the J-mod. He said it was a good way to firm your shift points but would not correct the problem areas of the tranny such pressure and stuff like that. The transgo shift kit would correct both and would dig a $600 hole in my pocket. I think these are rather pricey. I would need to create a new thread if I decided to do it myself and someone actually respond w/ accurate info if I were to do it myself.

[STEVE]

Quote: Originally Posted by megax29 He called back after looking at the instructions online and quoted a $470 for the J-mod. He said it was a good way to firm your shift points but would not correct the problem areas of the tranny such pressure and stuff like that. The transgo shift kit would correct both and would dig a $600 hole in my pocket. I think these are rather pricey. I would need to create a new thread if I decided to do it myself and someone actually respond w/ accurate info if I were to do it myself.

Sounds like too high of a quote, you can probobly hav it done for 300.

[SpectorV]

I paid 100 for my shift kit (trans go)install via a ford tech (off the clock) You had best be careful when messing with that area cuz if they dont care or dont know what they are doing they can screw your car up. I would just get a chip and tune it a bit and leave the other stuff for later.

[megax29]

I went to a tranny specialist who looked and talked like tony montana, he said that it's not worth it. He said to make a difference I would need to replace tq converter and a shift kit at the same time. I run the risk of burning my drum he said. He asked if I a part was the dial type that locks and turns one way and I wasn't able to answer. He said it would cost more if it wasn't...dials I guess are good. My car has the 4r70w right? He said if I'm looking for just a little more w/o spending too much he said mess around w/ its computer to change the shift points. What do you guys think?

[Intermision]

For $470 I would just get a tuner to firm up the shifts and add power at the same time, you would save about $100 also.