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daledriftwood
Learner
7 Posts
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 Posted - 31 May 2008 : 9:46:49 PM
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hey all
could someone please shed some detailed light on different transmission stages like "stage 3 shift kit" etc? i assume that the higher the stage would generally be better but i would like some in depth information about what the differences are generally, reliability, price etc. I currently have a SV3800 auto.
And all so where can i get black tail lights? seen them on a few aero's and i wouldn't mind grabbing some.
thanks 
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nodg
National Driver
1667 Posts
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Posted - 31 May 2008 : 10:30:05 PM
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stage 1 and 2 are pretty much the same, except 2 of the parts in the kit are 'bigger/longer' to allow more pressure in the valvebody. stage 1 will be firm but not as sharp and snappy as a stage 2, stage 1+2 kit will cost 100 dollars and 200 for a transmission joint to install. or you have stage 3 which is a firm shift, but you MUST move the gear lever everytime you want to change gears. its pretty much known as a manualized auto..
The black lights are just tinted, im sure no stock car came out with them (maybe aero not sure) however calais and other hsv models came out with a smoked taillight setup which is dark, but not as black as the ones your thinking of... |
Cheers,
Nodg. |
Edited by - nodg on 31 May 2008 10:33:08 PM |
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MILD50
Fully Licenced
850 Posts
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Posted - 01 Jun 2008 : 08:25:29 AM
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I'm pretty sure the Aero used smoked tail lights- essentially Calais without the lines in the centre of them. Smoked is plenty dark enough- plus factory equals no problems with legality.
As to transmission stages- it varies from manufacturer and a lot of trans places have their own set ups aswell. Transgo and B&M are the common off the shelf jobs and the difference between the two is reportedly pretty huge. A lot of people go the B&M stage II which can be bought for around $80 from Rocket Industries among other places and can be installed at home if you are game enough. It's pretty common to also go to a Corvette servo which will firm the shift up even more and the combo is pretty well proven to get a fair bit of second gear chirping action if that's your thing.
As with anything- how long is a piece of string. If I were on a budget- I'd go the B&M kit because it's proven and cheap. If money was a little easier I'd speak to a local trans shop and see what they can offer- some people don't like snappy shifts all of the time and this is something the off the shelf kits don't allow for. I know of boxes that have been built to shift comfortably with a little throttle but kick the arse out when you are right up it. Plus the shelf kits can't compete with a proper built box - but you will have to pay for the quality.
Be aware that if you want a shift kit, you are probably intending to give your car the odd bit of curry. If your box isn't up to the task, you'll find out a lot sooner with a shift kit installed. |
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daledriftwood
Learner
7 Posts
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Posted - 01 Jun 2008 : 11:37:39 AM
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| thanks for that info . i plan to spend a bit of money on the transmission so i'll have an ask around. maybe a whole new tranny will be the way to go and keep my original as a spare to save me from hot water. |
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MILD50
Fully Licenced
850 Posts
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Posted - 01 Jun 2008 : 11:57:04 AM
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If I had the money I would turn mine into a manualised valve bodied, ratchet shifted tranny built to handle more abuse than I could throw at it in three lifetimes. People rave about the T350 because it doesn't loose as much power, but I'll keep my overdrive box for a bit easier highway cruising with a more spirited diff ratio.
Let us know how you go! |
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Grandtheftholden
P Plater
46 Posts
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Posted - 02 Jun 2008 : 4:24:49 PM
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daledriftwood... whereabouts in VIC are you mate... i may be able to point you in the right direction of somewhere to go... top job and for a GREAT price for rebuilds and a good Stage 2!
Let us know |
YA MUMS YA DAD |
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daledriftwood
Learner
7 Posts
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Posted - 03 Jun 2008 : 10:22:25 AM
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| i'm from sunbury (north western suburbs). thanks man if you can. |
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V8VNCalais
Fully Licenced
238 Posts
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Posted - 04 Jun 2008 : 12:10:21 PM
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| Would a stage 2 shift kit and the corvette servo be enough if all I do with my 5ltr is a mild cam, mild head work and memcal remap. From the SM (Street Machine) Magazine I have it looks like the Servo isnt up to scratch for even stock applications. Im only trying to find out if I can get away with out a full rebuild |
Edited by - V8VNCalais on 04 Jun 2008 12:13:14 PM |
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MILD50
Fully Licenced
850 Posts
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Posted - 04 Jun 2008 : 12:43:12 PM
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Define enough? I haven't gone for a shift kit yet because I don't want to shell out for one that hard shifts all of the time. I've got a stock box and have no dramas- your driveline would cope fine with those mods.
But, if you can put up with the hard shifts, a shift kit and servo will definately speed up your shifts and get you moving along nicely. |
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knightrook
P Plater
67 Posts
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Posted - 04 Jun 2008 : 4:16:27 PM
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| are all these mods only for autos? can you even get better kits for manuals? my gearbox is kinda old so if i have to rebuid the whole thing am i better to get something other than just a stock set? |
Theres a fine line between not knowing and not caring... i like to think i walk that line everyday of my life |
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nodg
National Driver
1667 Posts
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Posted - 04 Jun 2008 : 4:24:31 PM
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| you are the shift kit, try putting the clutch in and revving it before dumping into second gear! |
Cheers,
Nodg. |
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V8VNCalais
Fully Licenced
238 Posts
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MILD50
Fully Licenced
850 Posts
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Posted - 04 Jun 2008 : 5:46:08 PM
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Standard auto will handle that power gain.
Common manual mods are more to do with the shifter- shortened shafts and those rip shift things that change the 2/3 shift. |
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nodg
National Driver
1667 Posts
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Posted - 04 Jun 2008 : 8:26:55 PM
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| a shift kit isnt going to allow you to handle extra gorsepower, it just forces the bands to engage and disengage quickly instead of slipping (in stock form) a shift kit will reduce premature wear if its good condition, but if its not it will wear it out twice as quick... |
Cheers,
Nodg. |
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knightrook
P Plater
67 Posts
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Posted - 10 Jun 2008 : 6:31:20 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by nodg
you are the shift kit, try putting the clutch in and revving it before dumping into second gear!
haha i like it! sounds like a quote from a movie, "there is no spoon"... |
Theres a fine line between not knowing and not caring... i like to think i walk that line everyday of my life |
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