Feedback/Opinions on the Intense "Shift Kit"?

[Going Too Phast]

I am struggling to decide which "shift kit" to get. I had made up my mind to do the TransGo, but I am thinking that in order to help my mpg, I'll turn off the perf. shift but then I won't have all of the juiciness that Overkill has provided with the trans settings (e.g. line pressure). So I think I will try and get a kit that will firm up the shifts more so I can ditch the slow granny shifts that I have to put up with now and which seem to anger me constantly.

So I am again taking a long look at Intense's offering. I'm hopeful I can get some unbiased feedback here. I know if I post this at ol' clubGP all I'll get is anti-Intense propaganda. The Intense kit looks like it is the most comprehensive (it has the most parts anyway) but it doesn't seem like it is selectable. They have a setting for GTs and another for GTPs. Is that their own terms meaning mild and medium firmness respectively? I'm a bit confused on that. Also, does anyone have any input on the use of the sand paper and scuff pad? Is that even a good idea? Overall are those with Intense kits happy? Would you have gone with something else in retrospect? It is a pretty hefty investment but I don't mind if it is quality. Also, is the filter GM? Does anyone know? If it isn't a good one, I'll have to buy another. In case anyone is wondering what I am talking about, the Intense kit is here: INTENSE-Racing.com: INTENSE™ Street/Strip Performance Shift Pak® Those of you with the kit, any comments on shift speed and firmness?

The other option I am looking at is the Thrasher kit. It looks like the Transgo with a few more spacers for selecting firmness. You can see the current version here: THRASHER Shift Kit for your 4T65e - from the home of Thrasher Engineered Performance If anyone has experience with the current Thrasher kit, I'd like to hear about it.

Then there is the TransGo: INTENSE-Racing.com: TransGo 4T65E Shift Kit (That is the best picture I've seen of it.)

Before anyone tries to persuade me to go with the cheaper spacer only kits or DIY, I'm not convinced that is the proper way to do it. I want faster shifts most of all. It really seems like different springs will be necessary (among other things). Anyway, I believe in saving money but not cutting corners. Especially when it comes to our fragile tranny. So let me hear your opinions/feedback/hearsay or whatever. Thanks for reading.

 

[Trannyman95]

Here is your UNbiased opinion from me... The Intense and Thrasher kits are the only thing I suggest to people not building there trans and want a good kit. Both are very complete kits and include upgraded springs which do help, and the Intense one includes a new gasket plate for the accumulator body. Scuffing the accumulator bores with scotchbrite is a good idea though I think those kits include sandpaper, either way it has been a rebuilders tip for years to do on any transmission and here is why... With a smooth bore there is nowhere for the fluid to sit and this can cause the accumulator pistons to stick or get cocked in the bore which can not only cause irratic shift feel but also cause the center hole for the pin in the acc piston to wear out and cause more pressure problems. Scuffing the bore surface gives the fluid somwhere to stay and keeps the bore lubed up to prevent the seal from dragging and causing the piston to stick. And before you ask since everyone else does lol, I use Transgo shift kits in all of my builds BUT as they come in the kit they will NOT produce firm shifts and I use the kits as a base to work in conjunction with other internal changes which can only be made when the trans is apart. So in a nutshell, my top picks have and will continue to favor the Thrasher OR Intense kits as they are the most complete.

 

[agrazela]

I installed the Thrasher kit on my 1998 LeSabre. I used the "medium" setting with the spacers. It is perfect, IMO.

Thrasher and Intense are the only kits I know of that provide firmer springs, and new piston seals and a new accumulator gasket. I ultimately chose Thrasher over Intense to save $20 or $30 for some sandpaper, but I really could have gone either way.

I did choose a TransGo kit for the 4T65E-HD I am building now. Like Trannyman says, that one's really best as part of a total rebuild.

You probably already knew that all the cheapo kits (zzp, W-Body store) are just $5 worth of spacers you can get at Lowe's or Home Depot.

 

[Zef_66]

Not sure what Dave thinks of the DIY shift kits, but this is what I did to my car. I used spacers from Lowes. And I ordered new springs from GM. It has been so long ago that I did this that I can't even remember what exactly they were, but I am sure I could find it somewhere. I didn't sand the bores or anything because I didn't know about it then (or really till now). But it works fine for me. And it was cheap. :th_thumbsup-wink:

But the shift kit I did was pretty mild. I think what helped the most was increasing the line pressure a little with my PT. Again, not sure what Dave thinks of this method, but I like the way my tranny drives and shifts. Not hard, not sloppy, but firm....if that makes any sense.