Well I finally took the plunge and had a stage 1 shift kit fitted, new solenoids (old ones were changing 1st to third sometimes) and a trans cooler fitted (getting ready for supercharger in couple of months).

The shift kit is a love/hate relationship. When I'm in the mood I love it - shifts fast and hard instead of smoothly slurring into the next gear - faster for sure, measureable difference in acceleration times. The TRC warning light flashes every change if turned on - if not it's chirp wheels time!

Other times when I'm just gently cruising the hard change is a bit much - it's then I miss the super smooth standard shift.

http://planetsoarer.com/sounds/v8shiftkitchirp.mp3

very small 106 kb sound file - hear wheels chirp 1st to 2nd gear.

Cost me $256 US to get fitted drive in drive out.

 

brand and model number and info on where we can get the shift kit please.
thanks

 

bugga! - hope i don't get dragged over the coals again for bending the official club lexus vendor only rule. - Doh!

I had mine fitted by
Michael Vidau
1 Stirling Road
Blackwood 5051
South Australia
ph 08 8370 0430
fax 08 8370 0431

To dial Australia it's +61 8 8370 0430 where the + is your own international dial code.

Don't have a model number or brand number. He takes out the standard valve body, works some magic and puts it back in. 6 and 8 trans have different valve bodies. I have stage 1. Stage 2 is Saturday night dash cracker special only.

He sends them all around Australia - don't know about overseas. For $70 aud you don't have to do a change over ($1Aud = 0.66 US ?). $315 Aud change over with DIY instructions - it's not that hard apparently. Extra $70 Aud if you want to keep your own valve body. Perfect for drags and racing - not so much fun around town sipping champagne - you feel the clunk as it snaps into next gear - no slurring that's for sure.
I've had stoplight mini drags with 5.7 litre Gen III LS1's and it's the 1st to 2nd change where they pull ahead with standard trans shift - no more! Now the change point is where the cars leaps ahead - just a very quick shift which means engine timing is not reduced to smooth out shift - more engine power available around shift point.
Won a dyno comp last Saturday with 163.7 rwkw - 220 hp at wheels. That recording was made day after shootout. Rob and I chirped it all the way to the dyno shootout - the novelty hasn't worn off yet!

 

Awsome info, thanks for the reply!

 

that is awesome... I contacted someone about valve body upgrade(shift kit) in US and they told me $1100US.... I can't believe its cheaper to buy from 1/2 way around the world...

thanks for the info

 

Oh,yeah,I need one of those.

 

I need to move Down Under

 

Harry has nearly finished my hot programmable ECU! He's great! - more timing and gear changes at 7500 rpm (new redline). Gearchanges at 7500 give that chirp.
I know moving here is a big step! - But a holiday? - well that shouldn't be so bad! A Phillip Island weekend should be ideal. I can help with the details including accomodation recommendations - and getting a ride will be easy. Melbourne has a big Soarer club - and Qantas hasn't had a crash yet (remember Rain Man?)

http://planetsoarer.com/sounds/Mallalalap2.mp3

You might have already heard the above sound file- it's my SC around a track with shift kit, stock ecu and race tyres - no chirping. It's also 2-3 changes, no 1-2nd changes

 

Harry knows his stuffs... two tumbs up for him. Is this programmable ECU same as Neil Griffiths? I just sent my LS400 yesterday to him. He is doing something with it. What about Russall (KDog) he also have a shift kit too.