Auto Shift Improver

[jippa]

starting this thread for anyone who wants firmer shifts in there auto without a shift kit . was having a few problems wit my trans slipping in third gear and first so took her to the shop. The car has a warranty so told the guy while it was appart that i wanted a shift kit installed cos it would be cheaper. when he called back he told me that i had a leaky solenoid and there was a lot of tarnish on the valve body, then he mentioned the Shift Improver and from its description could probably claim it under warranty. It claimed that it would extend gearbox life by firming up 3rd quite a lot and other gears aswell. the shift improver cost round 250. This is a good idea if you want firm shifts but not a shift kit as they can change gears alot harder. anyways i am happy with the end product. nice firm shifts that dont break ya neck. has anyone else had one installed.?

[Stinky Rooster]

you've lost me....

What exactly is it, and how does it differ from a shift kit? Are we talking new valve body or new solenoids?

more info please!

[jippa]

its modifying the valve body. bigger springs new valves and drilling bigger holes in a plate to let more fluid through to firm up the shift .its like a shift kit just a mild one but stiil gets a heap better shift than standard

[chook]

There are different versions of shift kits available from MV Automatics in SA (stage 1, 1.5 and 2 i believe), I went for the Stage 1, the mildest, prob similar to yours, only feel the changes from 1st to 2nd, others are smooth, but very quick, no more flaring.

[AlexCim]

I went the stage 2

It involved the pluging of some pistons, removal of some springs too.

[FLYSLY]

that doesnt damage the auto at all though does it alex??? been thinking about it for my car!

[AlexCim]

does not damage the auto at all no, better for it infact as there is less slip = heat = death.

[FLYSLY]

awesome

[jippa]

how did you find the stage 2 . was it a bit severe for daily driving? do you think the hard shifts have extra impact on the driveline?

[pixel8r]

Not sure what stage I got but I had mine installed at MV automatics (I live in SA). $440 including a transmission service so not expensive at all.

My shifts are pretty much transparent when I want them to be or a bit more clunky if I drive it hard. I normally feel the 1st to 2nd shift but after that its unnoticeable.

Like everyone else, I get very solid, quick shifts and I'm very happy with that little mod.

And yes it apparently improves your auto box not weakens it.

[jippa]

it saves your clutch packs from slipping before it is fully in the next gear by letting more fluid through the valve body to push the packs together quiker. you have 2 sets of packs. 1 for 1st and 3rd gear and the other for 2nd and 4th. the weakest shift is 2nd to 3rd.

[GorGasm]

Just a quick question here, would any autobox shop be able to do this sort of work?

As im in NZ im thinking about rolling down to a shop and asking what they can do for me..

[chook]

No, it is a specialised job, there are only a few places who know what they are doing with the RE401 boxes. If you have the time, get a shop to pull out the valve body, (or better still, find another one), then send it to Mike at MV Automatics in South Australia, tell him what stage you want, he should send it back after a couple of days.

Edited January 23, 2007 by chook