Shift kits and U joints
#1
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Car: 1988 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: 5.0L Fuel Injection
Transmission: Automatic 4speed /w OVerdrive
Shift kits and U joints
I mentioned to a friend that I wanted to install a shift kit in my 700R4 and they told me that I would be blowing U-Joints like mad. He said that basically a shift kit is hard on a transmission to the point that the hard shifting can warp driveshafts and kill u-joints. Can anyone on here justify this?
I basically want a shift kit to take away from teh soft shifts my 700R4 does now.
I basically want a shift kit to take away from teh soft shifts my 700R4 does now.
#2
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Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Re: Shift kits and U joints
The 3R is a strong u-joint. The firmer shifts of a shift kit won't hurt the u-joints unless they're already on their way out.
Transbrakes are hard on drivelines. They shock the driveline more than a shift kit ever will.
Transbrakes are hard on drivelines. They shock the driveline more than a shift kit ever will.
#3
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Re: Shift kits and U joints
The modified TransGo Shift kit has smooth part throttle shifts and the shifts getting firmer with more throttle. I have never had a complaint with this Shift kit being hard on the driveline.
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Car: 1987 Firebird
Engine: 355
Transmission: T56
Re: Shift kits and U joints
Not true. A shift kit is actually good for your tranny. The hard parts are strong enough to stand up to the hard shifts, and the wear parts exponentially increase their life. The only reason they dont come for the factory, is because its not comfortable for the passenger.
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Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Re: Shift kits and U joints
Kinda true. A shift kit provides firmer shifts so the clutches and band(s) are not slipping as much when they engage. They usually also pump up line pressures. When the clutches slip, they wear. Of course a typical street tranny can have many, many miles on it before the clutches are worn out.
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Re: Shift kits and U joints
It should also be said that the B&M shift kit(and other cheapies kits like it) are known to be hard on the trans and other driveline components. This is because they don't properly mod the trans, they just increase shift firmness at ALL throttle levels.
A proper shift kit will increase the life of the trans and shouldn't add any un-due stress to the rest of the driveline.
A proper shift kit will increase the life of the trans and shouldn't add any un-due stress to the rest of the driveline.
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