Spoke with the band new service manager at my local dealership (previous service manager was let go

). While we were discussing all of the "fun" that I've been having with my SSR, he located a GM document that talks about harsh 1st-to-2nd gear shifts. Finally!!!!!
Document #1456783.
It seems to talk about a valve body needing to be replaced. The regional GM rep should be in tomorrow or Tuesday of next week. We might be making some progress on this bugger yet.