TransGO shift kit install.. Initial impressions.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Tempe, AZ
TransGO shift kit install.. Initial impressions. 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
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
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Tempe, AZ
Originally Posted by rgriffin
How hard was it to install? Could a normal guy thats never broken into trannys do it?
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
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
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!
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Verdad Gallardo 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
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Steubenville, OH
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?
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?
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.
Teching In
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: In between the green fields and dusty roads of Illinois.
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.
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...
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Tempe, AZ
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.
10-62 no nitrous
Nice firm 1-2 shift. I'm happy as a clam.
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
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Simi Valley, CA
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.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Tempe, AZ
Originally Posted by BubaGumpShrimp
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
Matt
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Tempe, AZ
Originally Posted by 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.