My comparison of shift kits
08-14-2011, 11:39 AM
#1
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My comparison of shift kits
Now that my '86 Camaro 3.4 is finally driveable, I notice it shifts like a granny car. And I've used the cheap B&M kit before, but what about TCI and Trans-Go?
I just spent the last 3 hours researching and comparing.
Here's what I learned.
The Trans-Go 700-2/3 kit is a race kit, with no moderate option. And it's nearly twice the price. So it's out. But Trans-Go offers new separator plates, in case my original has been damaged by the check *****. Plus it's only $20, and pre-drilled. But which holes, and how big?
B&M offers their basic Shift Improver Kit, with provisions for HD and SS options. Then they offer the double-priced Transpak, which, aside from adding a filter, is really no different in the 700R-4 version.
TCI has their Trans-Scat kit.
How does the TCI-376500 compare against the B&M-70239?
First, the B&M includes more for your money. More instructions, more spacers, another drill bit, in 3/32", as well as the 1/8" included with both B&M and TCI.
The B&M kit is $4 more if ordered direct, but $2 less if ordered from Jegs or Summit.
And B&M includes the gaskets for both sides of the separator plate, while TCI doesn't give you either.
TCI does give you a 1-2 accumulator spring that B&M doesn't. That's fine for the race option, but for comfy shifts, the spring is needed, because the stock spring always breaks eventually.
The main variation is with the line bias valve spring. TCI has you replace the stocker with their green spring, for HD or race, while B&M gives you a blocker pin for race, and specifies keeping the stock spring for comfy shifts.
After considering all of that, I'm ordering the B&M kit plus the Trans-Go separator plate. Finding an accumulator spring should be cheaper and easier than finding the gaskets that TCI omits.
I just spent the last 3 hours researching and comparing.
Here's what I learned.
The Trans-Go 700-2/3 kit is a race kit, with no moderate option. And it's nearly twice the price. So it's out. But Trans-Go offers new separator plates, in case my original has been damaged by the check *****. Plus it's only $20, and pre-drilled. But which holes, and how big?
B&M offers their basic Shift Improver Kit, with provisions for HD and SS options. Then they offer the double-priced Transpak, which, aside from adding a filter, is really no different in the 700R-4 version.
TCI has their Trans-Scat kit.
How does the TCI-376500 compare against the B&M-70239?
First, the B&M includes more for your money. More instructions, more spacers, another drill bit, in 3/32", as well as the 1/8" included with both B&M and TCI.
The B&M kit is $4 more if ordered direct, but $2 less if ordered from Jegs or Summit.
And B&M includes the gaskets for both sides of the separator plate, while TCI doesn't give you either.
TCI does give you a 1-2 accumulator spring that B&M doesn't. That's fine for the race option, but for comfy shifts, the spring is needed, because the stock spring always breaks eventually.
The main variation is with the line bias valve spring. TCI has you replace the stocker with their green spring, for HD or race, while B&M gives you a blocker pin for race, and specifies keeping the stock spring for comfy shifts.
After considering all of that, I'm ordering the B&M kit plus the Trans-Go separator plate. Finding an accumulator spring should be cheaper and easier than finding the gaskets that TCI omits.
Last edited by ronnjonn; 08-14-2011 at 11:46 AM.
08-15-2011, 12:05 PM
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Car: 91 rs
Engine: Carbed 355 CR 9:1 xr276 cam
Transmission: 700r4 2600 stall
Axle/Gears: 3.42
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