ok i have a 94 firebird formula and a 94 z28, both stock LT1s with around a hundred grand, both non selectable 1st gears both 2.73 cars, pretty much twin cars outside of one being a z28 and one being a 4mula. Now my formula has this little button that says performance shift. When you push it it totally changes the cars way of shifting. Its like it takes less throttle to down shift into passing gear, it shifts a little higher and wil chirp when the button in engaged, when its off it shifts normal. This is a factory installed button, now my question to you guys is would that performance shift button make a difference in 1/4 times? anyone ever compare this? Like what i mean is lets say the Z runs a 14.0 in the quarter, would the formula run better than that becouse of this option?

No. The formula's "performance shift" is standard on the Z. The softer setting is what the Z doesnt have.

Yeah Firebirds have a bit more luxury

Personally, I do not agree with this statement. I have a 95Z and have always been of the impression that while this option is available in the computer the switch doesn't exist and therefore the shifting is the same as the formula is by default, as in when the switch has not been activated.

I followed a "how-to" on the web and have installed a performance switch on my Z28. It took less than an hour and involved tapping into 1 wire in the kick panel, wiring in a push button switch and grounding the other side of the switch. Here is a link on the subject.

http://members.***.net/chipsbyal/page/trans/page3.html

If in fact the tranny was already in performance mode, I doubt that this mod would work. I can attest to the fact that it does in fact work, as the shifts are considerable firmer once the switch is depressed.

It is a myth that the Z28s are always in performance mode. As AtlantGAJoe points out, the Z's just did not have the button to activate it (but the programming was present in the PCM). GM let Pontiac have the honors of having the factory switch.

I had always heard otherwise. Learn something new every day

I drive a z28 and a formula both 95's

The z28 shifts firm like the formula does when in perf shift mode, however doesnt down shift as easily. I think the Z28's have firmer shifts comparable to the formulas (in perf shift mode) but not the faster downshift???

Make sense

Just an opinion by someone who drives both regularly

I read somewhere years ago that any new electrical inovations by GM were always tested first on Pontiacs, i wonder if thats still true, or ever was.

well correct me if i am wrong i believe the camaros got the performance shift button as well after 96. but n e how would thier be a measureable difference at all from one car to another?

There is no performance shift button factory on ANY camaro at all. I know my 96 doesn't have it, nor does my friends 00 SS or my friends 98 Z28. It is a pontiac thing. My brothers GTP has the same button. As stated above, it is in the programming, yet there is no way on a Camaro to activate it stock.

thats kool, chalk one up for pontiacs so would b there a difference from one car to another?