I plan to install a B&M Shift Improver kit in the 700R4 of my 86 Vette sometime this coming week and from the instructions I see it can be installed one of two ways.

Either Heavy Duty (RV, Motorhome, etc.) or Street/Strip. The Street/Strip way gives the firmest shifts.

I'd like some input from anyone who's installed the kit and how they like the way it works. I'm trying to decide which way to set it up - Heavy Duty or Street/Strip.

Thanks for any input.

Jake

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1986 Corvette Coupe, 415 CID, Edelbrock 6073s, ZZ9

 

Get the Transgo shift kit. I have one and I like it a lot. It doesnt chirp the tires (if I had more HP it might) but it gives a very quick firm shift. From what i have read, the transgo is the best. Good luck in whatever you do.

 

I second the recommendation for the TransGo kit. Take the B&M kit back. Several members here have had trouble with the B&M kits. I dont know of anyone with TransGo trouble. My dad only uses TransGo kits when he rebuilds transmissions, too.

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1991 Camaro Z28
5.7L 5-Speed (originally 305)
13.25 @ 107.18 MPH
Southern California
Member: SoCal 3rd Gen F-Bodies
Webmaster: SoCal F-Bodies
-=ICON Motorsports=-

 

Hi..

I've also heard that teh Trasgo is the best out there.

I have the Supirior HP shift kit and It works fine! check it out http://www.superior-transmission.com

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GTA -89:Free flow muffler,dual 3" HF cats, Edelbrock headers, Vette heads, 1.52 RR 7/16, ZZ-9 cam, Big Mouth, AS&M LTB, ported plenum, 52 TB, MSD 6AL, TPIS level V prom, Mod .MAF, Superior shift-kit and some minor mods. and more to come!
http://www.itv.se/tacs/members_cars/m279/m279.html (Swedish Trans Am Club)

 

Thanks for the info.

Does the TransGo kit also allow two modes of installation like the B&M: Heavy Duty and Street/Strip?

Which setup do you guys like the best the Heavy Duty setup or the Street/Strip?

Jake

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1986 Corvette Coupe, 415 CID, Edelbrock 6073s, ZZ9

 

I have a B&M shift kit, street/strip, and it works fine. It gives a firmer shift in 1st to 2nd, and 3rd to 4th. When you light it up off the line it will melt the tires in 1st and give a loud chirp going into 2nd. It's very sweet!!!! Everyone on these boards are intitled to thier own opinions, but take it from someone who knows, dont send back your B&M kit, put it in and have a blast!

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88 GTA
L98 350
700R4
3:27 axle
MODS,
Edelbrock TES headers, 2.5" straight pipe, Flowmaster 80 series, K&N filter, Accel 8.8mm wires, Bosch Platinum plugs, Wells cap and rotor button, Wells ignition module, MAF screens removed, Hypertech TB air foil, Thermomaster stage II chip, 180* Powerstat, Hypertech cool fan switch, B&M shift kit, B&M power clutch pack, B&M servo, GM fuel filter.

[This message has been edited by speed88 (edited November 27, 2000).]

 

I know someone w/ a vette that put a B&M torque converter and Shift kit in at the same time and tore his trany up big time. That is why I too went w/ Transgo.

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'84 Camaro 327ci Bored .030 over w/ 5.7" stroke. The good 327! 3.73 geared Auburn Limited Slip Diff. FlowMaster Muffler w/ Shortie Headers. TH-350 Built Trany Underneath B&M Mega-Shifter. Many Engine compartment Dress Up Mods. Edelbrock High Flow Water Pump w/ Flex-a-Lite Cooling Fan.
It is still under construction @ www.iserv.net~brodgers

 

Was the cause tracked down to the products themselves or the installation?

Jake



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1986 Corvette Coupe, 415 CID, Edelbrock 6073s, ZZ9

 

Good question Jake!

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Veiw MY CAR at:
http://www.members.tripod.com/~btessier

88 GTA
L98 350
700R4
3:27 axle
MODS,
Edelbrock TES headers, 2.5" straight pipe, Flowmaster 80 series, K&N filter, Accel 8.8mm wires, Bosch Platinum plugs, Wells cap and rotor button, Wells ignition module, MAF screens removed, Hypertech TB air foil, Thermomaster stage II chip, 180* Powerstat, Hypertech cool fan switch, B&M shift kit, B&M power clutch pack, B&M servo, GM fuel filter.

 

I had a B&M on my last car and the tranny blew shortly after insallation(the car had high miles on it thou)I have heard this is a somewhat common on them.I have a transgo on my car now and love it,it gives you much more manual control specially on downshifts.My car has 102,000 miles and it's the original tranny and I havn't had a problem(I drive it pretty hard too) the only downfall to the transgo is the installation is much harder

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89 FORMULA 350,WS6 SUSPENSION,FRESH 355 MOTOR,TCI 12" STREETFIGHTER,TRANSGO SHIFT KIT,3.70 GEARS,SLP REAR CONTROL ARMS/PANHARD,HOTCHKIS STB,FORMULA GP'S,FLOWMASTER EXHAUAST,58 MM BBK,MINIRAM INTAKE,ALL FREE MODS(HEADERS WAITING IN GARAGE)SLP 3/4",NO CATS,

 

I've put in many B&M shift kits so I'm guessing I count as someone who knows. If your car had, say, a TH350, I'd say go for it, it'll work great. But in my opinion the B&M 700R4 kit is severly lacking, to say the least.

The one I installed in my own 700 worked well at first. Soon I ended up with harsh upshifts and a sloppy 2-3 shift. Many other members who have used this kit complained of similar problems.

Like I said though, just my opinion

 

I would have to second the suggestions for the transgo kit. i like some of the b&m stuff, liek there conveters and shifters, but i haven't heard much good... seems to be 25% bm and 75 % transgo....

 

Where is the best/cheapest place to buy the transgo shift kit from?

 

It's $130 from Summit

 

I've had my B&M shift kit for over 4 years and have no problems. 160k+ miles on my 700r4 and still kicking.

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-Justin-
T-Top '86 5.0L LG4 700R4 WS6 Now Bilstein equipped!
T-Top '92 5.0L TBI 700R4
My '86 Firebird Homepage
The F-body Model Kit Pictoral Archive (updated 9/18/00)

There can be only one!!

 

I've installed several B&M shift kits in the past, but they were always in either Turbo 350s or 400s. I've never installed or driven a car with a 700R4 that had one of them installed and was just trying to get some input.

Thanks to everyone.

Jake

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1986 Corvette Coupe, 415 CID, Edelbrock 6073s, ZZ9

 

If you want the best Transogo kit, you ahve to get the 700 2&3 reprograming kit. (thats what its called on the box) It is kinda a street/strip setup i guess, but its like the pro model. I think mine was $145 through US trans parts. It is harder to install, but the benifits are worth it. You can either do a full manual valve body or you can do it so that the trans wont shift into a higher gear then u have selected, but if you put it in drive it will act like a normal trans. Thats the way i have mine set, and with a B&M megashifter, its the best setup you can have IMO. Good luck