Automatic Shifting Kit?

i have an automatic '98 Formula and i was talking to some guy about my car and i told him i was thinking about changing the transmission. He said not to change the transmission but to add a converter and shifting kit or something like that. Anyone know what this is and how much they run for? thanks

Here is one brand of shift kit
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=TRG%2D4L60E&N=700+400214+4294920458+115&autoview=sku
There are several brands available, from many sources.
Here is a very good brand of torque converter from one of our sponsors.
https://securehost98.hrwebservices.net/~herronp/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=77 (https://securehost98.hrwebservices.net/%7Eherronp/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=77)

This should start you on your way.

Here is one brand of shift kit
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=TRG%2D4L60E&N=700+400214+4294920458+115&autoview=sku
There are several brands available, from many sources.
Here is a very good brand of torque converter from one of our sponsors.
https://securehost98.hrwebservices.net/~herronp/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=77 (https://securehost98.hrwebservices.net/%7Eherronp/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=77)

This should start you on your way.

so what i need is a "Shifting Kit" and a "Torque Converter", correct? or are there other terms for the parts

and what would the shifting kit do? does it just help the car shift better or does it actually let me install and shifting knob to let the car saty automatic, but let me shift if i want to? i really dont know

The proper term is Shift Kit.
If you are looking for better (firmer) gear changes then the shift kit is the way to go.
All automatic transmissions have torque converters. What your friend was talking about was one with a higher stall speed. (rpm at which the converter engages) The higher stall torque converter will allow you to launch the car at a higher rpm from a dead stop and also when moving and you down shift (ie: mash the gas to the floor) it will get the engine into its power band faster.
Note if you do go to a higher stall speed TC you will need to get an add on transmission cooler. The higher stall will generate higher transmission temperatures.
Higher temps are certain to shorten the life of the transmission.