Tranny Questions. Transgo Shift Kit. Help

First off, really dumb question, but how do I know which tranny I have??? I have 2000 Sierra SLT with a 5.3L. My problems are as follows. Once in a while, I have the hard 1-2 shift, under slow accleration. If I really get into it, I get ever so slight slippage, again 1-2. I keep reading about this Transgo shift kit and ask myself a few questions. First, they say it takes no special tools and is easy to install, but don't have instructions, I am assuming, until I buy the thing. For those who have done it, how easy is it? Second, does it really correct the issues I am having?? Also, I have read on this board that possibly taking it to the dealer, they can update the software. Is there any truth to this?? If there is, how bad are they going to rape me for this "reprogramming??" Lastly, I would like to know, if anyone has input, how useful a tranny cooler is if the vehicle is not normally used for heavy hauling/loads and is driven in Minnesota??? Please help.. I just don't get the feeling that I need a tranny rebuild, especially since I have never had a check engine light and the tranny works well most of the time..

I installed the Transgo Reprogramming Kit in a 96 Impala SS (which has a 4L60E - square oil pan). The car was already fun to drive and this really makes it drive even nicer. Nice crisp shifts at part throttle. Firm shifts at WOT. It probably took me a solid 8 hours to do it but I really took my time since it was my first valve body r&r. I also did the servo seals which meant that I had to remove one of the cats (read pain in the ass). I spent two hours to r&r the cat, servo and seals.

You most likely have the 4L60E, it will have a very square oil pan and I think that was your only automatic choice with the 5.3.

The kit is designed to fix the issues with the 4L60E and I think it is well designed. Reprogramming can only change the shift points and raise the line pressures slightly. The reprogramming kit has more control over the line pressures that no programming can fix. You do not need a check engine light on to get benefits of this kit.

A tranny cooler can help since heat is the what hurts a tranny. It has benefits even if you do not tow; however, I would invest in the transgo before I did the cooler if cost is an issue. (if not do them both at the same time that way you only have to drain the tranny once).

//2000CAYukon

Legasus, I also installed the TransGo Shiftkit myself and can tell you it's well worth it ! It took me 'bout 6 hours in total but it's not too bad.
Bert
http://tinypic.com/jkhhlf

ok, i know this is an old thread, but i have been reading about the transgo kits, and ordered one for my 2002 1500. How hard is it really to put in, i am pretty mechanical, fix everything myself, and rebuild engines, and all that crap but never have opened a transmission before. I can do everything while the trans is in the car? are any parts of the installation real difficult? You guys say it took you about 6-8 hours? Anyone have any pictures or copies of the instructions that i can look over before i do this, i just want to see what im going to have to do before i rip into this. Any real easy ways to F this stuff up. Do i need to remove anything from the transmission besides the pan? Thanks for any input guys, just want to be aware of what im going to do before I do it!