Installing a Transgo - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

none · 05-07-2005, 10:51 AM

Hey.
Well, after concidering the T5, I've decided I really don't have the cash that it needs right now, plus I've heard a lot of stories on how they break pretty easy.

Right now, I have a 305/700R4. Within the next year(or 2) i'm hoping there to be a 350/383/400 in there with a 4spd/6spd/or MAYBE even a strong auto (but not likely). Anyway, as I was saying, I think that a Transgo shift kit in my 700R4 would be fun.

Now, this is where the questions come in. Ahem:

1. Just how possible is it do it with the tranny in the car?
2. How long should I plan for? (day, two days, ect.)
3. Just how does it work? Do I shift it manualy like a manual valve body?
4. Can I use my stock shifter/column?
5. Is it worth it?

Thanks.

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Ramair21 · 05-07-2005, 12:27 PM

I havent did mine yet, i had my shift kit for about 6 months. Im just scared to put it in cause you have to drill holes in your valve body. And Yes you can do it while the tranny is still in the car and i know its worth it too. You should put in a corveet servo in there too. Thats makes you chirp second gear

none · 05-07-2005, 01:00 PM

Oh really, you have to drill a hole in the valve body?
Hm.. doesn't sound too fun, but hey, I'm game. Can anyone elaborate on this? Just how much drilling is needed/where?

Apeiron · 05-07-2005, 01:24 PM

Not in the valvebody, just the spacer plate. If I remember, I'll scan and post the instructions later.

Ramair21 · 05-07-2005, 01:42 PM

so why on the transgo kit instruction its say that you have to drill a hole in certain parts? The valve body is what comes off right?

Apeiron · 05-07-2005, 02:02 PM

The valvebody is the plastic part with the valves in it. Between it and the housing are a couple of gaskets and a sheet metal spacer plate. It's the spacer plate that gets drilled. It really isn't that scary.

Ramair21 · 05-07-2005, 03:29 PM

oh!! I see.... Then why does it seem like you have to drill in the valve body? Thanks for clearing that up for us...

RBob · 05-07-2005, 07:50 PM

The valve body is cast iron (not plastic). Depending upon which TransGo kit you have will define whether holes are required to be drilled in it. The Jr. kit doesn't require valve body drilling, while the Re-programming kit does.

No big deal, it's just a couple of holes and the drill bits are provided in the kit.

RBob.

none · 05-07-2005, 09:52 PM

Oh, so its really not that bad then.
I was looking at the re-programing kit.

Anyone have answers for questions 2,3,4?
Thanks. Great info.

Crusin' 1980's · 05-07-2005, 10:17 PM

I'm installing the Transgo kit next weekend (for the 700-R4 trans)...the kit provides the bits to drill the holes, and if you watch the video instructions, it should be easy....the directions recommend 3 hours...but if you want to go slow and take your time (like I will)....then I would plan on longer, but not more than a day....in the directions, it gives you the option for a manual shift or the automatic shift, there is just a couple things that you do differently if you want the manual shift, but from what i understand, you want to go with the automatic shift, because if you do the manual setup, then you will always need to start the car from the 1st gear and then shift almost as if it was a real manual...so just go with the automatic, and you can still shift through the gears if you want to....I'll let you know how my installion goes next weekend...

Crusin' 1980's · 05-07-2005, 10:19 PM

and you don't need to change your shifter...

Stevo · 05-09-2005, 10:16 PM

how much did u get urs for? my dads car won a prize at a car show and at the prize table they just happened to have a TransGo Shiftkit for my car, i was thrilled.

Im putting it in sometime this week, it should make my auto alot more fun.

I got a lift at my work to use so shouldnt be that tuff plus it will be the first time i drop the pan so ill get to see how my tranny is doing and if i need a new T56 or not

Apeiron · 05-09-2005, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RBob
The valve body is cast iron (not plastic).

Why did I say plastic?

Ramair21 · 05-09-2005, 10:24 PM

hey steve!!! can you take some pictures and post them, if you can by step by step PLZ!!!!!! Or something like that bro...

AaronIROCZ · 05-10-2005, 05:27 PM

You may want to talk to dana at probuilt automatics http://www.700r4l60e.com/. Because about 4 years ago I installed the reprogramming kit from transgo in my 87 GTA and since then it had NECK SNAPPING 2nd gear shift under light throttle it got so bad that it gave me headaches while crusing with it. About a year later the trans went out unrelated to the shift kit. I contacted Dana and got a shift kit from him since I had to replace the whole trans. He changes the kit to suit YOUR car. My neck snapping shifts are gone under light throttle, they are pretty smooth, but when I step on it, I get nice tire chirping shifts. You may want to talk to him first.

ace16a · 05-10-2005, 07:36 PM

The first time i installed a transgo kit, it took me about 8 hours. the video that suggests 3 hours is working on a pick up 700r4. much more clearance around the tranny than in a f-body. the second time it took me 4 hours. hopefully this weekend i'll be able to do my third install in the new tranny. also, with my first install, i had neck snapping shifts on part throttle for a while. but there is a way to make the 1-2 shift softer, the included instructions tell you how to change it. make sure you do some research on the different shift kits. transgo makes 2 different reprograming kits. one is complete with the corvette servo and some other stuff that the other one doesn't have. the one with the servo is more expensive but worth it imo. i also put a new stainless separator plate in the tranny with the shift kit. it's cheap and the tranny's already apart so why not?

Ramair21 · 05-10-2005, 07:43 PM

i dont mind the neck snapping part. Im not going to be driving it everyday so it wouldnt matter at all. I just dont want to be getting into someting that i cant get out of if you know what i mean

AaronIROCZ · 05-11-2005, 04:39 PM

Trust me the shifts down right hurt. When I got mine it was a few years ago and sounds like to me they have changed to kits to soften them up a bit. Cool.

ace16a · 05-11-2005, 04:51 PM

These kits are not very hard to install. Just take your time and double check yourself as you go through the different steps. also helps to loosen the tranny mount and raise the car up as high as you can safely go. make sure you raise the front and rear to the same height.

Apeiron · 05-11-2005, 09:42 PM

To give a rough idea what's involved, here are the instructions from the 700-2&3 Reprogramming Kit. I couldn't find instructions for any of the other kits, sorry. Note that these are a little old and some things may have changed.