What shift kit would you suggest from who? Also, how difficult is installation?

 

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.

http://www.hptransparts.com/MM007.ASP?pageno=89

 

Does this delayed pressure rise get fixed in the commercial version. If not then how can I get aholda someone to put the kit in for me.

thanks
Matt

 

Yes it does fix that. Just about any tranny shop should be able to handle the install. I say that because you need to follow the direction, not just shoot from the hip like allota guys will do. You can do the job yourself if you give yourself time and space.

 

whats all that other stuff on that page transfixleo? do i need to get the sleeve and that other valve when i buy the shift kit. what is the difference between the first and second shift kit, the second one says only after a rebuild.

also i was on pro-builts website and on there the transgo kit sold for $82, but on summit it is $129, are these the same kits?

 

The kit that I carry, does not include the boost valves or Corvette servo. If you add the Corvette servo & boost valves and seals then the cost is $125.00. I would only use a transmission shop that is very familiar with Trans-Go products. The pressure rise problems are addressed in this kit too.

 

I don't automatically suggest the installation of the largest Servo's and Valves as I prefer to use waht is required to keep the job lasting and workng properly. When I do these jobs I don't follow all of the instructions in the Reprogramming Kit and in fact I usually incorporate BOTH the Shift Kit AND Reprogramming Kit.

The TransGo instructions suggest the .423" Boost Valve for most small block app's and the .471" for Big block or HP small block with the .500 aas an all out racing choice. Many people are after a very firm shift so if you get the 'Vette Servo and Large Boost Valves you will ensure that happens. I make a by the car decision as to what I use, including what the customer is ultimately after.

 

I use the Trans-Go Junior Shift kit along with the Performance Shift kit in all my rebuilds, as I want nice part throttle shifts along with firm WOT shifts. I do the same as you (transfixleo) that each transmission is built to match the situation demanded of it.

 

so is the transgo from summit come with the vette servo and valve, and the one from probuilt does not. which should i get, is there much of a difference.

 

If I were you I would just go with Pro Builts since he will give you knowledgeable support which I wouldn't expect from any parts wharehouse.

 

yeah but aren't the kits different or is summit just jacking up the price

 

I was just looking for a (relitively) simple, quick install, oh yeah, and maybe kinda cheap. Why not get a nice one? Well, my tranny has about 130K on it, and I erally dont know how much longer it will last. I can feel it slip often. And this car wasnt exactly babied before me (lets just say that I couldnt start it at first because it needed a new dist. cap/rotor that bad). Anyways, I am not looking for top of the line kits, just something to firm it up a bit. Thanks for the great replies everyone!

 

The criteria that I use is this: Does it HOLD in EACH gear? Is the oil OK? If yours is slipping then I don't really expect the TransGo or any other kit to fix that. That being said, the TransGo kit will stop the designed in flaws (pressure rise problems, etc.) and will KEEP a properly built tranny alive for many years. Don't assume that since you got 130K that it will do that again. Allot has changed in the many years since it was new. Things have worn/warped, etc. The engine, even if not modified now puts out more torque (less torque used up turning a looser engine) and if you do modify it, well...