Lower cost transmission options?

Looked up the B&M Transpak and I think I'll go with that. Now what's the higher ratio kickdown lever you mentioned? Does it make it downshift with less throttle opening, or is it just for durability purposes?

EDIT: And one more thing, what about a shifter? I was going to get a Turbo Action Cheetah SCS one but if there are other decent ones out there for cheaper I'll go that route.