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Shift kit and "hard part failure?"

W

wmorrison65

New member
The usual consensus on shift kits seems to be, they cause less wear on the transmission than OEM, and OEM only makes transmissions shift "smoother" because most consumers expect that.

Then I read this on ZZP:

"Shift kits can increase the chance of hard part failure but they do keep the clutches from slipping and burning."

Hmm... I would think "hard part failure" repairs could get more expensive than replacing clutches. Am I wrong?

So if the goal is long-term reliability, does a shift kit really make sense? Or is the chance of hard part failure so small that it's still better to use a shift kit and save the clutches?
 


I wouldnt be worried about any failures. Perhaps if you made some decent power and used the Intense shfit kit on the hardest setting and you beat the piss out of the car alot, then a failure could become an issue.

I'd recommend the trans go shift kit over anything. They do far more good than bad. Increased/faster shift times do help the wear on the clutches and the trans go kit is not harsh at all.

I personally have the ablity to custom tune my PCM and increase the shift times and pressures even further and it's not a cause for concern on a healthy transmission. Hard parts could break at anytime but it's mainly do to more power being added.
 
Nope Never had an issue until I cam'd it.
From Stock to rockers and intercooler with 3.0 gen5
it was the cam that broke the camels back , twice... Before I went to a 300m

but im sure there is 100'different opinions ;)
 
"Shift kits can increase the chance of hard part failure but they do keep the clutches from slipping and burning."

This is a general term. Doing almost anything to your car will change how it acts/performs/lasts/fails. The alternative to "hard part failure" is a slow shift, causing added heat, triggering the CEL, and going full line pressure. Not saying a hard part failure won't happen, but it is far and few between.

With that being said, I am ending year 4 of having my shift kit installed. My tranny is still working the same as it was 4 years ago. The shift kit is a bandaid, so we all have to plan for a new tranny eventually.
 


Becsuse the clutches aren't taking the abuse, it falls on the chain (stretches ) and inputshaft (snaps / breaks)
 
A transgo shift kit is not going to cause hard part failure on an NA. At least...I haven't been able to cause it to lol.

I'll take ya for a spin in the Regal and .... you'll probably install that kit quick.
 
For some of us, it actually improves the longevity of the hard parts. Not sure if you've felt a stock shift after Max Adapt, but that sure as heck can't be good for the hard parts either. The transgo shift kit is nice and firm, but not excessively so... and a whole lot nicer than the hard shift you get from shift times taking too long and triggering full line pressure.
 
No, I'm not NA, 2001 GTP. Anyway, just researching whether I want to add a shift kit while I'm replacing my 4th gear clutch hub, but the transmission job's taking a lower priority to replacing my LIM gasket.
 


My opinion is that everyone makes them shift too hard. So many 13 second cars snap the input shaft. Keep your shift firmness near stock, decrease shift timing, and use lots and lots of tq management during shifts. But, I only have a bunch of 11 second passes on a stock trans.

If you're stock, I'd leave it alone.
 
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