Transmission Curiosity
 

If this is the wrong forum for this question, I apologize. Something I have been curious about for a while is if there are any options for upgrading the standard 4-speed automatic transmission. I grew up on manual transmissions and while I have no intentions of swapping out my automatic for a manual, I often find myself just WANTING to shift gears and I then get to thinking about what options there are. I can find nothing online regarding such an upgrade and while I know anything is possible with enough modification, I can not stop wondering if there are any simple, bolt-in updates for the 4.3? Anyone know?

Corvette servo is one 45 minutes of work. Search for it

Transgo makes a kit for the 4L60e that lets you up and down shift with the shifter.
TransGo 4L60E, 4L65E, 4L70E and 4L75E: 4L60E-3

It requires getting into the valve body but can be done with the transmission still in the vehicle. So if you want to upshift and downshift this is your kit.
**Reminder: This completely disables automatic shifting and leaves it solely up to the driver.**

Thanks for the suggestions. I looked into the corvette servo, but I don't know if I need a firmer shift. If that is all that it does, then not really worth it. But it is supposed to be cheaper than the OEM servo, so maybe I'll try it someday.

That's an interesting mod, TZFBird, but while I often instinctively miss shifting gears, I do not want to permanently disable the automatic aspect of my transmission. Thanks.

servo is cheaper, easier, and does the same thing as a shift kit. Also by firming/ engaging shifts faster there is less slippage and your tranny will last longer

Hmm... then it might be something worth doing. With over 120k on my current transmission, it could probably use a little servo updating. It is still working fine, I haven't noticed any issues with slipping, but anything that might extend its life is worth pursuing. Should I look for a servo for the same year or does it just have to fit the 4L60-E?

I guess you should have been more specific. I read it as you wanted all the control.
The "corvette servo" will fit 700r4 and 4l60 transmissions from the early 80s to at least '07.

Transgo also offers a 4L60E-HD2 kit that:
FEATURES: Crisp muscle car or full race shifts. Puts the driver in command. Holds 1st, 2nd, 3rd to any speed. Backshifts to 3rd, 2nd & 1st by moving the lever.

So if you have it in OD it will still shift automatically. If you feel like flying down the highway at 55 and dropping it into 2nd, it will let you do that as well.

just look for 4l60e this is the one I used http://www.ebay.com/itm/4L60E-700R4-...del%3ACorvette theres youtube videos on how to install