Ok, now, I know that everyone says that the Trans Go kit is SOOOO much better than the B&M one. But why? What makes it better? I would like to put a shift kit in my car, but I heard its a lotta work, so I wanna make sure I get the best one i can afford. Thanx

 

TransGo corrects problems by re-directing fluid paths and fixing common problems with the trans. By doing this it improves performance. B&M seems to increase line pressures and block accumulators to change the way the trans feels. There are three times as many parts in the transgo kit than there is in the b&m.

 

so basically, the B&M just covers up the problems, but is easier to install, while the Trans Go fixes them, although it would be rather difficult to install. Assuming I am correct, i should go with the Trans Go even though it costs so much more, and I shouldnt have much of a problem installing as long as I take my time, and work things through, right?
BTW, i I wont be doin anything till warm weather hits, but I am trying to get a plan, if you will, in order.

 

I would get a transgo, I tried both, the B&M would chirp second going slow like through a busy shopping center (pedestrians don't like that for some reason).
The trans go isn't that difficult to install, you need common sense and decent mechanical skills. The B&M could be done by someone a little "slower".

 

I was going to install the B&M kit but returned it when I got it. There was nothing to it. I just got the Transgo kit. There are a lot more parts, plus a video showing you how to install it. The Transgo looks to be just as easy to install since you still have to drop the valvebody to install the B&M kit.

 

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.

 

Thanx Leo! I think I have read that before, have you posted it? I was just inquiring about what makes the Trans Go better than B&M though. More info is never bad.

 

Alright, so the TransGo is the way to go. And since the common joe can't really install it, can atleast a common mechanic put it in? Or would you need a certified Transmission specialist? Just curious for my tranny, I have 107k miles on it, and it is perfectly fine, no slipping, no nothing, except for a little leak, but I got the seal for that, haven't installed it yet tho. So do you think I should get a TransGo? Or just stick with the method of "if it aint broke don't fix it"? Would it be possible that the TransGo would so called "wreck" my tranny, by shifting to hard say?

 

actaully hard shifts are better for tranny b/c of less clutch wear ( i think, maybe Leo could enlighten us... )

 

I would say that the average joe could install the transgo kit. It dosent appear to be very complicated as long as you take it slowly.

 

i installed the transgo kit this weekend. its easy just takes time. i only had a problem with a valve cuz i didn't see that it feel out. and taking off the 2nd servo cover i had to lower my tranny cuz i had no room. in the video it seems the guy had about a foot of room. my car has about four inches.

 

The thing is to give yourself a lot of time and have a backup car to take the pressure off of you. There is nothing worse than getting flustered thinking I have to get this thing together.

As for a "hard" shift being better, I would not exactly say that. It is more accurate to say a short (duration) shift, which will end up feeling firmer, but just as important if not more so is what I call a clean shift. This is not just short but if there is a transition involved, such as on the 2-3 shift that it is done with a minimum of overlap, or bindup on the shift as two components try to drive the tranny at the same time. This actually can make a shift feel softer but when there is too much overlap it will fell rougher AND there will be much more heat and wear and tear on the parts. This is one reason I don't automatically install the 'Vette Servo on every job but instead I use it where I think that it is required by the setup or demanded by the customer ( I want hard shifts).

As to the post, yes I have posted that before and I thought I was explaining differences in both of the longer resonses I posted, between the B&M, et al, and the TransGo.

 

Great explanation. Thanx fer cleanering up what I only had a vague idea of.