Shift Kit vs. New Valve Body

[01PonyGT]

Been thinking about improving my auto trans in the future. I've heard about the Jerry Mod and the Trans Go shift kit, but what about a replacement Valve Body?? Lentech and Performance Automatic offer valve bodies (the PA is less $$$). Would putting in a valve body be better than a shift kit or would a shift kit also be needed with these valve bodies?? I really don't see a need for a transbrake because I've never been to the track and will probably never race it. I'm just looking for some better street performance and durability. I already have a B&M cooler that I'll be adding.
Any ideas on the valve bodies??

WES

 

[gruntman31]

A valve body is better. Shift kits artifically raise the line pressure to improve shift firmness. A valve body will not. Not sure how it works really, but I do know a valve body won't result in premature tranny failure. I use a PA S/S valve body.

 

[99prmustang]

A valve body is better. Shift kits artifically raise the line pressure to improve shift firmness. A valve body will not. Not sure how it works really, but I do know a valve body won't result in premature tranny failure. I use a PA S/S valve body.

could someone give me the link for the PA valve body

 

[01PonyGT]

could someone give me the link for the PA valve body

http://www.usaplaza.com/scripts/wcom_producttree.asp?StoreID=1078&ProductID=32202

www.performanceautomatic.com

 

[jimfitzgerald]

I have a PA fully manual valve body with transbrake. I love it, but it's pretty hard core. I also have a B&M Hammer ratchet shifter and PI 4200 stall converter.

 

[01PonyGT]

I have a PA fully manual valve body with transbrake. I love it, but it's pretty hard core. I also have a B&M Hammer ratchet shifter and PI 4200 stall converter.

I don't think that I'd enjoy the manual valve body. How's that B&M shifter?? Is the Hammer just the shifter handle that screws onto the OEM automatic shifter shaft?? I guess not if you say it's a "rachet" shifter. what exactly does that mean?

WES

 

[san~man]

I have a Jerry Mod'd valve body. I personally didn't do the drilling of the seperator plate myself (no time, patience, or tools), but it is supposed to be very easy.

Just remember it was designed by the guy who designed the tranny himself. I have had it installed for almost a year now with zero problems, and I don't expect any either.

 

[jimfitzgerald]

I don't think that I'd enjoy the manual valve body. How's that B&M shifter?? Is the Hammer just the shifter handle that screws onto the OEM automatic shifter shaft?? I guess not if you say it's a "rachet" shifter. what exactly does that mean?

WES

The B&M Hammer shifter replaces your entire stock shifter mechanism. It is more or less a racing shifter. When racing with a manual valve body, it is easy to accidently shift from 1st to 3rd, with the stock shifter. With the B&M, you push the shifter handle all the way forward to shift from 1st to 2nd. The handle springs back and you push it forward again to shift from 2nd to 3rd.

 

[Ottomatic]

I've got the PA street/strip valve body and I really like it. The install was pretty doggone easy (once I figured out my torque wrench was a pos, long story) and you'll always have your stock valve body around incase you want to go back to stock. At WOT, it hits 2nd like a mother ****er and the shift to 3rd is hard and quick. At cruise, the shift into 2nd is a little stiff while the shift to 3rd is about perfect in my opinion.

 

[01PonyGT]

I've got the PA street/strip valve body and I really like it. The install was pretty doggone easy (once I figured out my torque wrench was a pos, long story) and you'll always have your stock valve body around incase you want to go back to stock. At WOT, it hits 2nd like a mother ****er and the shift to 3rd is hard and quick. At cruise, the shift into 2nd is a little stiff while the shift to 3rd is about perfect in my opinion.

Ottomatic, do you have any experience with a shift kit? I'm curious how your PA street/strip valve body compares to something like the Trans Go kit...any thoughts? What other mods do you have? rear gears? I think you've pretty much sold me on the PA valve body, but I'd like to hear a bit more about it.

Thanks again,
WES

 

[Ottomatic]

Unfortunately, I've never experienced a trans-go or any other similar shift kit so I can't say with any authority that the valve body is indeed better. I've really got no horsepower adding mods so I'm probably sitting around 180rwhp. My rear gears are the stock 3.27's.

Maybe someone with a trans-go will chime in with their experiences. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

 

[Silver95Bird]

The J-mod does not raise the line pressure. That's false information.
For someone who intends to drive their car on the street every day, the J-mod is the best way to go. I've done 4 of them, they arent that hard. No harder than any other kit out there, and it uses only a few parts and some drilling.
For those who mainly use their cars as race cars but only occaisionally drive them on the street, then an aftermarket VB makes more sense.
With the right tuning and J-mod I think the OEM VB is sufficent for almost any application... some people just like having total control. To each their own. It's a matter of choice.