Ole1830

The whole project was

Fun in a weird sort of way.

The last couple of days, I've been putting a transGO shift kit in my TA. (at least the major parts of it). I haven't worked non stop on the project. More like spend a few hours here, a little time there.

Impressions: If you tranny is a waffler, you need one of these.

By "waffler", i'm talking about getting into the throttle pretty aggressively @ around 20, and then deciding to go WOT. Before shift kit: The car would kinda act like it was in limbo for the better part of a second before it decided it needed to be in first. Then it would take another half a second to mush its way into first and go.

Not anymore. You mash it @ 20 and it just downshifts with authority, ***** and gets.

The shifts aren't really harsh at all at medium throttle, even WOT there is very little difference in shift harshness. It just downshifts with so much more authority and finally acts like it knows what gear to grab.

They would still be making Fbody's if they put these in the car from the factory.

well maybe not, but it helps a TON

Matt

BubaGumpShrimp

iTrader: (1)

i agree with everything you said, and that was the first thing i noticed. Shifting is way quicker,no lag and it shifts harder.. just like it should.

rgriffin

How hard was it to install? Could a normal guy thats never broken into trannys do it?

Ole1830

I've never broken into a tranny before. I have a daily driver, so I wasn't in a hurry to get it done. I would probably pay someone the $200-$300 to put it in if I didn't have alternative transportation. I'd rate it probably a 6-7 on a 1-10 scale. Very dirty job, though. Think tranny fluid everywhere.

Stuff you'll need:

-Basic tools
-Pry bar
-Power drill
-grease to hold the gaskets in place
-a good pair of E clip pliers
-4 jackstands
-A whole boatload of kitty litter to catch the spilled tranny fluid
-Read the instructions alot
-A lot of rags
-A buddy that doesn't mind helping you a few times would make the job a ton easier. (Like when you're trying to raise the valve body, and when you're messing with that servo thing on the passenger side).
-A ton of patience
-Take a really good mental picture (and a few with your camera if possible) of the tranny after you drop the pan. It will help with minor things (like how the dipstick cup mounts up, and how the reverse lever attaches).

That's all I can think of at the moment. Good luck if you decide to do it. Take your time, and you'll do fine.

Matt

00Z28 Camaro

sounds quite badass , I'd like to hear other peoples impressions on shiftkits , I dont know jack.

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

Well, I paid a guy to do it who's highly experienced with those kits. I consulted with him a lot and learned quite a bit. I am extremely happy with how mine performs!

FelixIlka

Don't shift kits lower the life of your tranny?

fivepointseven

iTrader: (19)

Is 2-300 the normal rate for install?

BubaGumpShrimp

iTrader: (1)

no it increases them due to the fact that it doesnt let the trans slip when shifting gears. You extend the life of the clutches. This also depends on how hard you make it shift. The harder you make it shift, the more stress you put on other components

BubaGumpShrimp

iTrader: (1)

they wanted to charge me 200+ to install it.. save the money and do it yourself.

gwcrim

It's not that hard to install a shift kit. My buddies and I started doing them when we were in high school and thought we knew it all.

The biggest gripe I have about slush box automatics is that it seems to take 15-20 minutes to get from 2nd to drive. From my experience with autos and shift kits, the 2-3 shift doesn't improve dramatically.

How did it effect the 2-3 shift in your situation?

BubaGumpShrimp

iTrader: (1)

same here, the 2-3 was like, um ok there we go now were in 3rd. It did improve a bit over stock but the most change was in the 1-2 shift and the 4-2 shift was instant vs the 2sec delay with stock settings.

Blue Steel

Good review man. I was gonna get the transGO, a stall, and a tranny cooler once I start adding some real power to my car and have to beef up the tranmission.

BubaGumpShrimp

iTrader: (1)

blue steel, in my opinion you should do this first, than mod the motor. You will see a really good gain from it. The gain you get from the converter is like adding 50-60hp to the motor. Im not saying your going to gain 50-60hp, im saying you would need to modify the motor atleast 50-60hp to come up with the same track times as just adding a converter...

Ole1830

Here's a new vid that doesn't include a rev limiter bump.

10-62 no nitrous

Nice firm 1-2 shift. I'm happy as a clam.

Ole1830

For comparison, here's a clip of before the shift kit, including rev limiter bump:

25-65 vid

BubaGumpShrimp

iTrader: (1)

hey ole, how do you like the yank sy3500. Im planning on replacing my midwest 3k with 2.0str. I wanted a converter with less of an str to reduce wheel spin. I see that you have awesome shift extention. How are your launches with it(60' times). What about wheel spin,do you find it easy to work the pedal when your at the track or does giving it 1/4 throttle break the tires

Jeffs99SS

I assume you did this with the tanny in the car? What kind of grease did you use to hold everything in place while you're working? I heard there's a grease that desolves in transmission fluid, but am not sure where to get it.

Ole1830

I've never had another converter, but I like mine. It hooks pretty easily on Nitto DR's if I don't just floor it on the street. I don't spend too much time at the track. I would judge the SY3500 as a really good (easy to hook) street converter with Yank quality.

Matt

Ole1830

I just used regular grease on the gasket.