i want to install a shift kit in my 700 r4 but had some questions before i do it. first of all, can it be done at home or should i take it to a shop? second, how will it affect the ride. will it chirp the tires every time it shifts, or will they just be crisper? third, which one should i get, transgo, b&m, which is better? thanx alot

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'88 CAMARO 305
OPEN AIR ELEMENT
FLOWMASTER CAT BACK EXHAUST

COMPUTER CHIP
HYPERTECH 160* THERMO.

 

I have heard TransGo is better so I hear.... install it yourself if you are capable, otherwise if you feel like you would rather have a pro do it, then take it to a shop, but it is supposed to be as easy as installing it your self in the drive way with regular tools.

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1989 Trans Am GTA, 5.7L TPI, TH700-R4, T-Tops, dual cats, 9-bolt rear, 3.27, Dynomax muffler, K&N
1992 Camaro RS, 5.0L TBI, T-5, T-Tops, L69 Dual Snorkel, K&N - Sold

 

First off, what a Shift Kit ISN'T. Most people associate the term Shift Kit with tire chirping shifts. Actually Shift Kit is a trademarked name coined and owned by TransGo Since 1959. The purpose of a Shift Kit is to correct the weak points of a given transmission. In most cases when someone complains of soft or slipping shifts it isn't BECAUSE if these complaints that they fail but rather there is a malfunction that leads TO the burned/glazed frictions and the poor shift quality is the result. There are many kit's out there designed to give you firm shifts but if that isn't the cause of your problem it isn't fixing them.
For example, in a 700 you have problems with delayed pressure rise which allows the clutches or band to slip until the pressure catches up. If you don't fix this, it doesn't matter if you put the Vette servo in or the .500 TV boost valve or not. They will only mask the problem. This problem is there whether it is a grocery getter or 5.7 IROC. The TransGo Shift Kit corrects this and other problems that these have. This kit however isn't available to the general public because of the technical knowledge required.

They do however have something that I think most of you are after though. It is called a Reprogramming Kit or also a High Performance Shift Kit. It has the basic fixes that the Shift Kit has and it has features to give the tranny HD/HP capabilities such as greater manual control and higher horsepower and torque handling ability. The 700 kit also includes some pieces for when the unit is O/H'ed to give it higher RPM capability (at higher RPM, residual oil can drag the 3-4 clutches on even when they should be off). This kit (the commercial version) has a video to aid in the installation too.