The way i think is once i get the pan dropped I'll have no choice but to just figure it out. The Instructions that come with the Intense unit couldn't be more detailed if they tried. In theory quicker and more firm shifts could cut some time off your 1/4 mile right? Im not expecting to drop into 13s from a shift kit or anything ridiculous like that, but maybe a tenth?

This thread is getting better all the time. I will probably be installing mine on November 19th. I do have some questions hopefully we can post them here and other members will help us out.

So I figured out I need a few items.
What is the recommended transmission fluid for the tranny? I will pick up 6 QTS.

Where can I purchase a decent in/lb torque wrench/

Paul posted that we should not need a gasket. Do we need to use a gasket sealer when reinstalling the pan? If we do what is the recommended gasket sealer these days. When I was young the hot gasket sealer was Permatex but as I have found out all of the products that were once decent are now not so good

I would like to know the same information as 95SLE

I don't have one, but I'm thinking about stopping by Farm & Fleet.

The favored brand of transmission fluid is Coastal from Autozone. It tends to be a little thicker than the Advance brands. (Right Don ) Get yourself 2 of the gallon containers if available. I find a pan drop takes 6-7 qts.

The gasket GM orignally puts on the transmission is considered a lifetime gasket. It can be wiped and reused until there appears to be a problem with it. You can easily tell the GM gasket by the metal under rubber with ridges. (I can get a pic later). Aftermarket gaskets that come in trans service kits are usually just a big stamped rubber gasket. Do not use any gasket sealer.

A good Craftsman clicker torque wrench is all you should need. I would be wary of say a Harbor Freight one. Although I am sure they do work.

Dextron III (or 3) or compatible. When I did mine, it took eight quarts to fill again.

No. Just take care of the gasket as you remove the pan and keep everything spotless.

THX Guys

All of my weekends are booked up from now till the Thanksgiving Holiday. I am off the entire week so it will get completed.

I like Sears myself so I hope it goes on sale soon. The next two weeks will be spent gathering the parts needed.

Also in answer to the original question I was quoted $200 by my local shop I deal with for the shift kit install.

Even spending $50 for the transmission fluid, which is probably high, that still leaves $150 for a torque wrench. I figure I will still save almost $100 by doing it myself and have a in/lb torque wrench after I am done.

Should I go with a 3/8 in drive torque wrench?

The trans fluid cost me $10 - $12 a gallon (even less at Wally World).

The bolts get torqued to 97 INCH pounds (not foot pounds) so the 3/8 torque wrench is likely too much. It probably goes down to 10 foot pounds which is 120 inch pounds. Some 3/8 drive wrenches may go lower though.

Thank you for the cost of transmission fluid.

Here is a link to the Craftsman torque wrench I was looking at.

http://www.sears.com/shc/*/p_10153_1...orque+Wrenches

The actual spec for the torque for the pan bolts is 10 ft lbs, or 120 inch pounds.