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Tuning VS shift kit

Old Apr 24, 2009 | 01:42 AM
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Default Tuning VS shift kit

well im fixing to get my yank ss4000 and im going to get it tuned to really make the whole car come alive, but what i was wondering is should i buy a shift kit, or just see how good the tune turns out first? see i would like some pretty firm shifts. esp from 2-3. just wondering if tuning will do the trick or if buying a shift as well will make it better.
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Old Apr 24, 2009 | 02:55 AM
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i would put a transgo in it even with a tune you will still have pressure drops in the trans the transgo kit fixes that
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Old Apr 24, 2009 | 04:01 AM
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Default tune +shift kit

Tune + shift kit,you wont be happy just tuning,tune will firm it up ,but if you want a short ,solid shift(breaking tires loose at wot 1-2 ) tune + transgo,and take your 2-3 feed hole to .101,I went .110 with mine ,but if you have alot of wear on the trans it could be hard on it,but unless you want a mushy 2-3,thats the only way you will get a good shift,I just went through all this stuff,but do it right the first time,and then its done.

Last edited by clwz28; Apr 24, 2009 at 04:10 AM.
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Old Apr 24, 2009 | 04:47 PM
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Originally Posted by clwz28
Tune + shift kit,you wont be happy just tuning,tune will firm it up ,but if you want a short ,solid shift(breaking tires loose at wot 1-2 ) tune + transgo,and take your 2-3 feed hole to .101,I went .110 with mine ,but if you have alot of wear on the trans it could be hard on it,but unless you want a mushy 2-3,thats the only way you will get a good shift,I just went through all this stuff,but do it right the first time,and then its done.
Not true. My car is pretty much stock,except for 3:73's and Borla. I used diablo tune to fix the speedo and also firmed up the shifts and made them quicker. Feels like I have a streetable shift kit in it and even at 3/4 down it barks the tires almost everytime,let alone WOT.
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Old Apr 25, 2009 | 02:14 PM
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hmmm i dont know. my tuner is an awsome tuner, and he thinks tuning will be just fine but im still unsure
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Old Apr 25, 2009 | 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by LS1nut377
hmmm i dont know. my tuner is an awsome tuner, and he thinks tuning will be just fine but im still unsure
The guy at Yank told me if your tuner can turn off torque management,your ok..
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Old Apr 25, 2009 | 03:18 PM
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Get a shift kit, they aren't that expensive
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Old Apr 25, 2009 | 04:11 PM
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I got a shift kit for my car but never put the thing in.

I have the same stall and stock gears and went 12.24 last night at the track. I tuned it myself and dont hardly know anything about it just started tuning things till I got it to that point. If you have a good tuner I would let him get it set up and see what you want to do then.
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Old Apr 26, 2009 | 12:27 AM
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I had the transgo shift kit in my 60E with a Fuddle 4k stall. It made nice crisp, firm shifts that would bark the tires from 1-2 at WOT. When I did my 80E swap with a Yank 3600 stall I left the shift kit out (I bought it for the swap) to make sure everything worked right mechanically and tune-wise first. The tuner increased the line pressure, etc., but it doesn't make up for the mechanical parts that are changed doing the shift kit. I plan on putting the kit in and backing down the tuning changes next weekend. Tuning can't take the place of the actual mechanical changes a shift kit does and it makes a difference. Trust me, otherwise, I would be selling the kit instead of crawling back under the car.
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Old Apr 26, 2009 | 02:21 PM
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Originally Posted by usmc320
The tuner increased the line pressure, etc., but it doesn't make up for the mechanical parts that are changed doing the shift kit. Tuning can't take the place of the actual mechanical changes a shift kit does and it makes a difference.
Exactly. Better fluid feed, more positive lock-up, less slippage ... all the benefits can only be had mechanically and they have a major effect on shift quality.

That being said, there are certain things that can only be done by tuning: changing shift points, shortening shift times, lock-up/unlock points, etc. You will want adjust all of these to complement your converter's characteristics.

For the best of all worlds you really need both.
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Old Apr 26, 2009 | 03:26 PM
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Originally Posted by LS1nut377
hmmm i dont know. my tuner is an awsome tuner, and he thinks tuning will be just fine but im still unsure
i bought a trans-go kit when i purchased my converter. after talking with the local trans shops they were pretty universal about not wanting to take apart a 100K trans without "freshening." My tuner runs a stall in his auto so he said the programming would get it done. he deleted TQ management and firmed the shifts. That being said if i ever get a rebuilt trans i would have the trans-go kit put in for sure, but for now the tuning has made a huge improvement in shift feel.
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