Transgo shift kit ?
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
From: Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Transgo shift kit ? i am planing on getting a transgo shift kit and a cooler, is the shift kit hard to install, or is there anything i should be aware of while installing it. any info would be greatly apreciated.
Personally knowing what i know now id go with the TCI kit...its a much easier install...i had bought a transgo kit for my 94 and took one look at the video and decided i wasnt installing it...mind you that was 7 years ago and i knew little about mechanics and trying to tackle something as intricate as a shift kit wasnt happning but the TCI kit is 20 times simpler. I did a writeup of the install on my site check it out and see if its for you. 4 springs and 3 holes to drill and gives you basically the same thing as the trango.
lata
Bill
lata
Bill
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TECH Fanatic
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Your Reality Check Bounced...
from what I've heard the Transgo kit is a pos...yes someone will have thier opinion that it's not...but I honestly say get a HPP3 and just up the line pressure or do it by LS1 Edit..I wouldn't waste money on the kit...it isn't any better or worse on ur tranny than upping line pressure anyway.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Lexington, NC
JoSeY, If you are increasing the line pressure with a programmer, you are not actually increasing the line pressure, just the point at which the pressure is released resulting in firmer shifts. Shift Kits actually increase line pressure which helps the tranny life and the converter efficency/feel.
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 232
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From: Little Rock, AR
I installed a Transgo on my 98 LS1 4L60E. Never did tranny work before, but with the directions and shop manual diagrams I planned everything out until I was very confident that I knew what to do. Even had tech support answer a couple of questions. I would not go into this one without careful planning, but mine turned out perfect. I was very pleased.
TECH Resident
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 862
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA
the TCI is simpler to install because it has less features!
yes, it will make your trans shift hard like a transgo,
but the transgo has crap to do other things
i think of it more as a correction kit
that addresses issues GM should have done in the first place
it just so happens it also makes it shift more firmly
i got it because it was advertised to fix the delay/bang
when going from reverse to drive
(switches gears better then new now)
but one bad thing i have to say,
they answered one phone call and never another from me
two weeks of calling, they didnt pick up
lousy lousy customer service,
and you might need it because the video and written are quite different
(follow the written)
another couple of pennies i have,
if you decide not to go with transgo,
at least go with TCI
im assuming they will address *some* issues
and not just simply increase line pressure
or delaying when the pressure is released
like those programmers out there.
research what features they offer
what trans issues they correct
its not just about rattling the fillings in your teeth between gears, you know
edit: four springs and three holes to drill?
hey, less features are less features
consider that two out of two trans guys i went to use transgo only
and its not that hard to install it yourself if you keep everything separated and labeled where exactly it came from. i even had some stamped chick accidentally kick everything over, but i got it back together running well. not difficult!
yes, it will make your trans shift hard like a transgo,
but the transgo has crap to do other things
i think of it more as a correction kit
that addresses issues GM should have done in the first place
it just so happens it also makes it shift more firmly
i got it because it was advertised to fix the delay/bang
when going from reverse to drive
(switches gears better then new now)
but one bad thing i have to say,
they answered one phone call and never another from me
two weeks of calling, they didnt pick up
lousy lousy customer service,
and you might need it because the video and written are quite different
(follow the written)
another couple of pennies i have,
if you decide not to go with transgo,
at least go with TCI
im assuming they will address *some* issues
and not just simply increase line pressure
or delaying when the pressure is released
like those programmers out there.
research what features they offer
what trans issues they correct
its not just about rattling the fillings in your teeth between gears, you know
edit: four springs and three holes to drill?
hey, less features are less features
consider that two out of two trans guys i went to use transgo only
and its not that hard to install it yourself if you keep everything separated and labeled where exactly it came from. i even had some stamped chick accidentally kick everything over, but i got it back together running well. not difficult!
Last edited by Stone0fFire; Nov 5, 2003 at 02:31 PM.
im not sure if your for or against transgo stone lol you had issues on the phone with them, video is crap and theres a bunch more stuff to do and replace in the kit. The TCI kit IMO is much easier than the transgo and as such i bought it so i could do it myself. To me electronic transmissions are like voodoo..just doesnt seem natural to see electronic connections submerged and then connected to metal parts lol...i wanted to get in and out as quickly as possible and have some nice firm shifts. My track times spoke for themselves as i went a full mph quicker in temps 30 degrees warmer and a heatsoaked motor...and my only other mods were my tranny cooler and some free mods like coolant bypass...mind you my iat was around 110-120, coolant at 220, and tranny temp around 190-200 all day so the only real mod in there was the shift kit. It wont shake out any fillings anytime soon but the slosh that was going around previous couldnt be good.
lata
Bill
lata
Bill
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
From: Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
does the transgo require drilling holes and replacing springs. or are there new spacer plates? if drilling is required how hard is it? this will be my first time doing a shift kit. thanx
i cant remember if my transgo had new plates or not but i know with the tci kit you have to drill 3 holes...i had access to my drill press though so that wasnt a big deal at all...i can see it being a little tougher with just a regular high speed drill though but not too bad im sure...i know the transgo has a bunch of springs that need to be changed and washers installed but its been a while.
lata
Bill
lata
Bill
TECH Resident
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 862
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles, CA
it has springs for the piston-looking things (accumulators?)
and springs also for most of the side channels of the valve body.
sounds like what TCI has, but i remember much more then 3 or 4 springs
also, there are more holes to drill then 3 or 4,
(transgo does not come with plate, got to mod your own)
and with weird numbers .88, .92, .103, .120
but it comes with the drill bits, so its all-right
there are two that it doesnt come with,
but those holes are already made to that size on our sep.plate
also comes with .5 boost valve
or as its marketed on some web sites,
the ".500 mega boost valve"
and this little thing to keep the screens apart during WOT
its not worth much, really
can do it without the kit,
but its nice they brought that issue to my attention
also comes with washers (???)
supposedly increases mass of something to determine shift firmness
three washers, three settings
dont remember what the box says
but i remember reading reprogramming and performance kit
dont know what they officially call it,
but i like it
i want to be honest here
i recommend the transgo,
it addresses many issues i dont see the TCI or HPP3 addressing,
but im not going to hide the flaws just 'cause i got one.
let it be known i had terrible customer service,
the outdated video is lt1 era
(written is updated, so they now contradict)
but wont drive another automatic without one
i suggest you check out what it has
and check out what the TCI has
also, talk to performance trans guys
let us know what they say
and springs also for most of the side channels of the valve body.
sounds like what TCI has, but i remember much more then 3 or 4 springs
also, there are more holes to drill then 3 or 4,
(transgo does not come with plate, got to mod your own)
and with weird numbers .88, .92, .103, .120
but it comes with the drill bits, so its all-right
there are two that it doesnt come with,
but those holes are already made to that size on our sep.plate
also comes with .5 boost valve
or as its marketed on some web sites,
the ".500 mega boost valve"
and this little thing to keep the screens apart during WOT
its not worth much, really
can do it without the kit,
but its nice they brought that issue to my attention
also comes with washers (???)
supposedly increases mass of something to determine shift firmness
three washers, three settings
dont remember what the box says
but i remember reading reprogramming and performance kit
dont know what they officially call it,
but i like it
i want to be honest here
i recommend the transgo,
it addresses many issues i dont see the TCI or HPP3 addressing,
but im not going to hide the flaws just 'cause i got one.
let it be known i had terrible customer service,
the outdated video is lt1 era
(written is updated, so they now contradict)
but wont drive another automatic without one
i suggest you check out what it has
and check out what the TCI has
also, talk to performance trans guys
let us know what they say
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 724
Likes: 0
From: Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
well i was on the phone with 3 different trans places today and all 3 of them recomended the trans go kit for best overall perfomance. they said the tci works great but only fixes a couple things. so basicaly the trans go sounds like the way to go!