The Crew at Level 10 found it was easier to install the Super Solenoid (arrow) before they installed the valvebody. The Super Solenoid works in conjunction with the new trans calibration to firm up shifts at both part and full throttle.
The Animal kits' billet converter not only stands up to more power and works with the rest of the components with the kit, but it bolts directly to the flywheel without the use of the drive plate. This means installing the converter is an easy and knuckle-saving procedure.
The other item of interest is the process of breaking in the transmission after the kit is installed. "With this kit and the way the tune for the transmission is changed, you can't just start the car up and go blasting around," Barrett says. "After you upload the tune, you need to disconnect the battery for five minutes or so. After you hook it back up, start the car, get everything up to operating temperature, then take the car around at light throttle and perform 20 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, and 4-5 shift cycles. Once you've done that, the bands and clutches have seated and are worn in correctly, and you can let it rip."
To get a better idea of what goes into rebuild-ing a stock 5R55s transmission with the PTS Animal kit, we cruised up to Level 10 and tagged along as the crew there rebuilt a 5R55S.
The PTS billet torque converter that comes with the kit improves the efficiency and reliability of the transmission, and its mounting point decreases the chance of breakage while facilitating an easy installation. Instead of mounting to a drive plate as the factory converter does, the PTS converter bolts directly to the flywheel.
All the Right Pieces
Level 10's PTS Animal transmission kit for the 5R55S tranny comes with just about everything needed to make the trans stand up to the most vicious of Three-Valves. Below is a complete list of parts and pieces that come with the kit.
PTS Animal Clutches and Bands PTS Billet Torque Converter PTS Super Pump PTS Super Solenoid SCT Tuner with Transmission Calibration | 5R55S Gear Ratios |
| First Gear: | 3.250 |
| Second Gear: | 2.440 |
| Third Gear: | 1.550 |
| Fourth Gear: | 1.000 |
| Fifth Gear: | 0.750 |
A Trans jack and a lift make removing and installing the transmission easy. The bright-yellow PTS converter sticks out easily when compared to the flat black transmission case. Although it does not come with the kit, the deep-sump trans pan from Level 10 is a good investment. |  | 
Arguably The most important component of the PTS Animal kit is the SCT tuner that comes loaded with a new calibration for the transmission. The calibration changes the shift characteristics for the trans within the ECM. One important note: Before you stomp the gas pedal to the floor, run the trans through 20 or so light-throttle shifts to break in the new trans components. |