I got quoted a price of $240 for 3 hours labor to install a new mount and transgo shift kit on my 700r4. Im trying to decide if i want to pay it or if i just want to try to install the transgo myself. I have the time right now, but Im just starting to get into working on cars. Dont have much experience and ive never worked on a tranny. So im just wondering how big of a deal it is to install a new mount and the transgo kit. Is it worth it to just pay or should i do it myself?

 

If you're new to this, I recommend that you let someone else handle it. Otherwise, there is a good chance that you'll end up covered in tranny fluid, under the car, pissed off and frustrated.

But you're gonna do this to your original, high mileage tranny? Not such a good idea, that's like asking it to grenade.

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91 Trans Am WS6
Bright White
5.0 TPI auto
Flowmaster 3" 2 chamber catback
Trans Go shiftkit
2000 stall converter

Built on Wednesday

 

Well mr J, thats not what i heard...actually the shift kit is supposed to prolong the life of the tranny. It cuts down on heat and reduces friction therefore prolonging the life of it. Plus I can always get it rebuilt if it grenades, and still retain the shift kit. But thanks for the info...so you have installed one before? Or are you just assuming all of the above...just wondering because i want to hear from someone who has installed the transgo just how hard they thought it was.

 

Damn Josh you are ****y! I have installed one before and they are very complex. I also believe that my mechanical ability is above average and I do not like installing these shift kits. Your high mileage tranny has a very good chance of grenading if you install this kit. Your clutches were not broken in with the shift charachteristics of the Trans-Go kit and more then likely the clutches will fail in short order. On older trannys varnish makes up a lot of the friction material on the clutch packs. The first time a new shift kit is installed BANG the varnish is gone and so is your tranny. Not to mention the crap that gets tossed into your valvebody by new high detergent fluid and varnish chunks.

As for the rebuild, no way. Even if you have the instructions, a tranny shop is not going to mess with your "Hot Rod Junk". Even if they do attempt to put your shift kit back in who says they will do it properly or guarantee their work. Not worth it. You are better off getting a simple shift kit or corvette servo that firms up your shifts a little until the tranny lets go. I personally would just save my money and get a TCI Street Fighter tranny and bolt it up. No BS and you have a street weapon with warranty.

Try to honor those here with many posts, it's called experience.

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84 Camaro ZZ4 with HOT cam. 1.88 60' (12.98 @ 105MPH E.T.)
Other Mods: You name it and I have probably changed it.

2001 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 5.9L 4*2

ASE Certified Auto Tech
LIVE AND DIE BY THE ALMIGHTY BOWTIE!

[This message has been edited by CamaroMike (edited January 17, 2001).]

 

Mike, did not mean to come across as "****ty" Sheesh, thats the second time this week ive had bad response to a post with no ill intentions. Mr j, if i offended you as well i apoligize...i was just stating what i heard...I wasnt saying you were wrong...i was saying that i heard that theyre supposed to prolong the life of the tranny...then i thanked you for your info that said otherwise. If you took that any other way i apoligize...and i was asking if you yourself installed the transgo not to be rude, simply because i wanted to hear from another home enthusiast on exactly how hard it was and wasnt sure if you were speaking from experience or just hearsay.

Now just to get this straight...the shop i called about installing the transgo is a performance tranny shop...they said that if the tranny did grenade they could rebuild it and keep the shift kit no problem. They said that the valvebody is not messed with when rebuilding, and that the transgo gaskets are standard so those can be replaced. They said that theyre shop can rebuild it no problem while retaining the shift kit. Do you guys think that that shop doesnt know what theyre talking about and is just trying to bull**** me? He seemed to know what he was talking about. He even mentioned that since he was replacing the tranny mount, he could put the new servo in right then to save time since its kinda hard normally without the crossmember removed, so i dont know.
other consideration is that like i said i dont know if this tranny has ever been replaced...it doesnt slip or anything...the only thing wrong that ive had with it thus far is the tranny mount needs to be replaced. Is there a way i can check to see if this tranny can handle the transgo...i mean is there any signs he can look for to see if it might crap out on me or is it just a try it and find out kinda thing?

Also just wondering (not being a smartass) But i have heard from many people that the transgo in an older tranny is fine, however a poor quality b&m will kill the tranny...im not trying to prove you wrong...im just asking if youve heard the same thing before and im wondering where you got your info that its not good for the high mile tranny?

 

That's the problem with shops you just don't now if they are full of **** or not. I have installed about 5 shift kits from B&M to Trans-Go on older trannys and the trannys usually let go in a couple thousand miles. On the other hand, when I have put a shift kit in a new or fresh tranny they have gone tens of thousands of miles. Just my experience.

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84 Camaro ZZ4 with HOT cam. 1.88 60' (12.98 @ 105MPH E.T.)
Other Mods: You name it and I have probably changed it.

2001 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 5.9L 4*2

ASE Certified Auto Tech
LIVE AND DIE BY THE ALMIGHTY BOWTIE!

 

Camaromike, thanks for the info. Did you notice any difference between the transgo and the b&m as far as the tranny dying quicker? I think for right now ill wait and keep researching this...also id like to check out the shop a little more. Maybe if i talk to the guy more and bring up some of these concerns ill see what his take is on it. I wonder how much it would cost me to just get it rebuilt right now and install the shift kit and everything all at once.

 

Mike is 100% right. Wait until after you get a rebuild to install the shift kit. No I did not install myself, not for lack of expertise (I've been under the car, drenched in tranny fluid, and feeling like $hit numerous times), but because my transmission grenaded and I had the shop that did the rebuild install the TransGo while it was apart. Take Mike's advice and get a Corvette servo for now. The Vette servo and housing cost something like $60 at a GM dealer, and are easier than installing a shift kit. GMTECH wrote a tech article about it, visit sethirdgen.org, maybe the article is there.

------------------
91 Trans Am WS6
Bright White
5.0 TPI auto
Flowmaster 3" 2 chamber catback
Trans Go shiftkit
2000 stall converter

Built on Wednesday

 

Mr j. just wondering...instead of going with the vette servo from GM, could i just install the servo that comes with the transgo kit? It is supposed to be the same as the vette servo. Not doubting your mechanical skills mr j...i was just wondering because i wanted to know of specific problems and stuff.

 

There you go Josh! Put the kit in with a rebuild! Then you will have a good tranny. Just make sure your tranny core is from an 87 or newer tranny with the auxillary valve body. If you build up a pre 87 tranny with the Trans-Go kit you will need the 4th gear WOT valve from Trans-GO to shift into 4th gear at full throttle. Most importantly MAKE DAMN SURE YOUR TRANNY REBUILDER IS HONEST HONEST HONEST AND REPUTABLE! We are talking about serious cash here. Good to see the light shining on newbies!

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84 Camaro ZZ4 with HOT cam. 1.88 60' (12.98 @ 105MPH E.T.)
Other Mods: You name it and I have probably changed it.

2001 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 5.9L 4*2

ASE Certified Auto Tech
LIVE AND DIE BY THE ALMIGHTY BOWTIE!

 

mike, my tranny is a 91 so it should be fine. Any idea how much a good rebuild should cost? Ive heard 800-900 from people, but havent gotten the price from this shop yet...what do you think? Also any ideas on the vette servo from GM vs. the vette servo included with the transgo?