Just installed shift kit on my 92 GSX and really can't tell a difference

[92GSXman]

Like the title states, I just finished installing a shift kit in my 92 GSX. It goes into gear a little harder but theres not really a noticable difference. What am I missing? I was expecting it to be harsh I guess.

 

[turbohounds]

Which spring did you use? Red will only be a little different, black should be pretty harsh.

 

[ryu]

that sucks. what kind of hp are you making?

 

[92GSXman]

I did use the black spring, I basicly followed the write-up on plymouthlaser.com. My car is stock other than an upper IC pipe, H34 bov and a 3" exhaust. Maybe as I get more mods it'll make a bigger difference, who knows? Now when it downshifts it kinda drops back into gear a little harder, that's something else that I noticed last night while driving it. I was just expecting a night and day difference I guess, I've read where it made a big difference on other people's cars. Not sure what's up with mine.

 

[ryu]

maybe you need more power. and maybe your trans was already strong? i dont know but makes sence tome... so how long did it take you to install??was it hard? i MIGHT do this my self in sping time if i gather the balls to do it. otherwise im probobly just going to let ipt do it w/ torque converter. keep us updated dude!

 

[92GSXman]

The install wasn't bad at all but very time consuming. Also have a buddy to help you install the valve body back into the car when you're done. One person needs to hold it up while the other installs the solinoids and brackets. Just allow yourself plenty of time and keep things clean and organized.

After speaking to Jon at IPT on the phone today I think I may have found my problem. I believe I may have gotten one of the springs mixed up. The sad part is that I have to drop the damn valve body again to find out for sure. Oh well, it's nothing but time and bolts right?

 

[92GSXman]

OK, I finally found the time to drop the pan and swap the springs out. I didn't have to drop the entire valve body, just the lower valve body cover (I guess that's what you call it). Anyway, I pulled the spring out and swapped it with the stiffer one, put it all back together and filled it up with fluid and guess what? Still no difference. I'm really not sure what's up with my transmission now. I mean it shifts fine and goes into gear like it always has but not really any harder. Has anyone else installed a shift kit and not felt a difference or is it just me? I used a 1/8" drill bit as a spacer for my adjustment just like it says in the directions, should I try to tighten or loosen this more? Will that make a difference?


Someone correct me if I'm wrong but even if my transmission was weak to begin with (which I don't think it was) the shift kit still should have given me some improvement, right? I read about how harsh the black spring is suppose to be, I used it and feel no difference so somethings got to be up. I'm also assuming everything must be installed correctly because it runs and shifts fine. I mean if I screwed something up it wouldn't change like it should. I am also using Castrol +3 atf fluid, I did a search before the install and found numerous posts saying that it was fine to use the +3 fluid at the auto parts stores. If anyone can think of anything that I may have missed please post it here, I'm willing to try anything if I think it'll work.