Was lookin round on the net and i notice that most muscle cars that have been hot roded or restored have shift kits in them. What im wondering is how exactly does a shift kit work? Are there diffrent types? Is it like on a regular automatic transmission were you have the ability to shift from first, second, and then to drive?(i know that fucks up the transmassion) So drop some knowledge.

 

It changes the pressures and passeges in the valve body so the tranny shifts harder. And shifting an auto tranny yourself wont mess it up, it does that anyway.

 

so you shift it just like a regular auto? 1st,2nd,overdrive?

 

Yeah, and mines 1,2,3 no overdrive here.

 

k last question, can you downshift like in a manual?

 

yes

 

my monte is 3 spd auto with an overdrive (4th gear)... i never put it in overdrive when im driving around the city, or anywhere 45mph or less... I look at it this way... if it's in O/D at low speeds it wears the tranny out faster... if not, it wears the engine out faster. an engine is cheaper than a tranny... SO....

but, yeh, when i drive hard, i shift it like it's a stick... no harm done... and if i have to slow down fast... i down shift... again, no harm done

 

Holy shit, that's pretty cool! That makes automatic somewhat appealing to drive.

 

There are "shift kits" which you can buy to modify your current valvebody like lane said and there are bolt on replacement VB's as well.
I know a few stangers that are running fully manual valvebodys on thier daily drivers.
Which means you manually shift 1-2-3 and have a button for O/D.
As stated, the OD band is generally the weakest point in the tranny and if you can help it, you dont really want to come in and out of OD at WOT and should leave it off around town.

Street strip VB is another option, fully manual when you want it, but you can leave it in D as well.

 

oh god! the balls (bearings) of death!!! don't attempt this at home!