a quick question about the homemade shift kit

[grandpree05]

Hi, I have never installed a shift kit of any type before (I have done a pan drop with fluid and filter though) and I just bought this car a week ago and I have noticed it has the harsh shifting after warmed up that I read so much about with the 4t65e transmission. I know this may seem easy to others but I would feel more comfortable with a "step by step with pics" or video from start to finish just so I can see exactly what needs to be done. this link is almost perfectly describing it but I just want to be 100%sure. I know this done incorrectly can ruin the transmission. This Is a link to what I want to do


http://www.gmforum.com/performance-137/making-installing-shift-kit-4t65-hd-transmission-278802/

Also I don't feel comfortable using the dexron vi since it is more of synthetic I think, and the last car I had I put synthetic oil in it and it started smoking out the tailpipe ever since so I don't think its the best, I want to use the dexron/mercon since they don't make dex iii anymore by itself with some lucas treatment due to mileage. the car has 180k on it, its a 2005,non supercharged, will it work for this year? and is a one owner basically and well maintained (shifts perfect except for the warm harsh shift) . In the link above I don't really want to put plastic in it and want to use the metal spacers seen in the pic, but at loews and home depot nobody knows anything and im on my own trying to find these specific type of spacers. has anyone gone to a specific store and found them on there own? if so how do you know which ones to get, are they in baggies or the little pull out trays in the store? im 99% percent sure it needs the PCS or a solenoid and yes I want to go the Band-Aid route for now to see if it works before dishing out the cash for the pcs replacement even though I have read it sometimes does not fix it anyways. If someone has done this route and could give specifics that would great. Thank you

 

[02NavyBlue]

If you're looking for more specifics in the process of the shift kit installation I made a write-up that should leave you with no questions http://www.grandprixforums.net/showthread.php?t=79486

Your car came with dex III so that's what I'd use. Valvoline makes conventional and synthetic for a good price in a gallon jug. The car you mentioned started smoking after synthetic is a common occurrence on older vehicles with worn out gaskets, synthetic flows better and can often clean up crud that may be stopping leaks. I can't really say anything for the diy shift kit. I know others on the forum have done it, so if they stop by they'll help.

 

[grandpree05]

ok thank you, but do the springs make as much of a difference as the spacers?. I see the transgo kit comes with much thicker springs and the homemade one says to just put bigger spacers. I just want to do this once so I will probably just buy the transgo and set it up like you did, also is your setup the medium or heavy duty option? thanks

 

[02NavyBlue]

The transgo is a mild shift kit, comes with stiffer springs for both bores, 2 long shims and 1 short. Shifts don't really get any harder, just faster. I suppose you could add another shim in the kit to make it a bit firmer if you'd like.

 

[jsnyder49090]

I would use maxlife dexVi its a much better fluid period dex III is 20 year old technology a lot of you need to do some reading at bobistheoilguy if you doubt this.And its like 13.50 a gal at AZ the synthetic is the way to go !I drove all over to find the shims I ended up ordering from McMaster carr. I bought the spring from rock auto you can use a little longer shim if you desire.The trans go is for when its out of the vehicle and you are already inside.