The 85-86 transmissions are fine. They predate the auxillary valve body units, but are good transmissions.

The biggest problem with the early transmissions were the ones witht he 7 vane pumps. Everything from 85 on up had a 10 vane.

There were a couple revisions in the sprag assembly for better oiling, but GM redesigned that a couple times along the way.

Most of the problem transmissions are long gone by now or they've been rebuilt and upgraded by now. Unless you're buying Grandma's 1982 Caprice that's been sitting for 20 years, whatever you buy should be a good one.

Here's some shift kits you may want to look at. The only thing I would reccommend differently is getting a .490 or .50 TV valve instead of the .471 that the Sonnax kit uses.

http://www.sonnax.com/parts/3028

http://www.transgo.com/products.php?prd=...ddcountview=Yes

http://www.transgo.com/products.php?prd=...ddcountview=Yes

This is the one I like. I've actually used it with great results. You can custom tune your shifts with it too. Like I said, I'd add the .490 TV valve with it.

http://www.transgo.com/products.php?prd=...ddcountview=Yes