"Auto with shift kit" ???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 896
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From: Lafayette, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
"Auto with shift kit" ???
I saw in someone's sig that they had, I believe if I remember right, a 1977 L48 auto (like mine) but with a shift kit. What is that? I think I may have an idea but not sure.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,708
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From: North Carolina
Re: "Auto with shift kit" ??? (jonny4523)
that may be me...probably is
anyway a shift kid makes the shifts "pop". I heard rummors that this actually makes the tranny last longer as well.
It also will allow you to bark the tired between each gear.... :cool:
Daniel
anyway a shift kid makes the shifts "pop". I heard rummors that this actually makes the tranny last longer as well.
It also will allow you to bark the tired between each gear.... :cool:
Daniel
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 16
From: absecon nj
Re: "Auto with shift kit" ??? (daniel77350)
tightens the shift up so it shifts harder between gears.i have a fairbanks shift kit and if you drive it easy its firm but if you get on it hard it chirps the tires between shifts.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 896
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From: Lafayette, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Re: "Auto with shift kit" ??? (pats406nitrovette)
Which is the best brand? How much do they usually cost? and How hard are they to install? sorry for all the questions but I'm always looking for performance upgrades within a budget.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,482
Likes: 27
From: Plum Boro, Pa. USA Pennsylvania
Re: "Auto with shift kit" ??? (pats406nitrovette)
Provides nice "crisp" shifts, with no sloppiness (as your tach drops) between shifts. Kits usually come with 2 optional settings: one for the crisper shifts, the other, pretty much all-out drag racing shifts. Getting a kit for the IMP/SS once extended warranty ends :chevy
Cruz
Cruz
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 283
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From: Cedar Rapids Iowa
Re: "Auto with shift kit" ??? (jonny4523)
The two major brands are TCI and B&M you can get both from Jeg's. What is your price range for upgrades? Just wonding because there maybe something else that will be a bigger bang for the buck.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 896
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From: Lafayette, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Re: "Auto with shift kit" ??? (79er)
I would like to stay under $100. The stock tranny for a '77 is a 350 turbo or something isnt it? How hard are these things to put in?
I do have another small question. If you have ever looked at an original sales brochure for 1977, it states that the auto can be shifted manually. I'm guess that just means to go up through the gears 1,2,3. Does anybody here actually do that? I know that I need to adjust the linkage because I can't seem to take the shifter back into 1st gear. If you are one who shifts and automatic manually, is it pretty fun? :lol:
I do have another small question. If you have ever looked at an original sales brochure for 1977, it states that the auto can be shifted manually. I'm guess that just means to go up through the gears 1,2,3. Does anybody here actually do that? I know that I need to adjust the linkage because I can't seem to take the shifter back into 1st gear. If you are one who shifts and automatic manually, is it pretty fun? :lol:
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,708
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Re: "Auto with shift kit" ??? (jonny4523)
I have just entered the world of manually shifting the auto. I am learning how to do this for when I take it to the track next year. Its pretty fun, but its nothing like a manual. so for not being able to shift down into 1st, you will probably need to adjust SOMETHING but i dunno what.
Also, when you shift it, you can keep your foot on the gas. Its fun.
Daniel
Also, when you shift it, you can keep your foot on the gas. Its fun.
Daniel
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 896
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From: Lafayette, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Re: "Auto with shift kit" ??? (daniel77350)
ya, i'm almost positive I need to adjust the linkage. I think, thought, that if i dont get a shiftkit, I will have the tranny place install it for me. They just rebuilt my tranny almost a year ago.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,804
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From: Gettin crazy with the Cheez Whiz! OK
Re: "Auto with shift kit" ??? (jonny4523)
I put a B & M shift kit in my 78 not too long ago. It's really easy, just messy. All you have to do is pull the pan(you might want to do this several hours before you start cause it will still be dripping), pull down the valve body, drill a couple of holes in the new plate(you can set it up differently, I used the milder setting because I wanted those shift options), then put it back together.
Might as well change the filter while you are in there. Like I said easy, but if you have a adversion to being soaked in transmission fluid for an hour or two, maybe not for you :lol: I think it was worth it though, I like the way mine performs now
Jason
Oh, be sure and retorque your pan correctly or you may have leakage problems
:chevy
Might as well change the filter while you are in there. Like I said easy, but if you have a adversion to being soaked in transmission fluid for an hour or two, maybe not for you :lol: I think it was worth it though, I like the way mine performs now
Jason
Oh, be sure and retorque your pan correctly or you may have leakage problems
:chevy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: "Auto with shift kit" ??? (jonny4523)
I put a B&M kit in mine ( http://users.erols.com/jerryp58/corvette/bnmkit.htm ).
There are others that are more involved, but I'm happy with it. Especcially with the addition of an adjustable vacuum modulator (versus the factory non-adjustable) which allows you to adjust the shift point (push them further up the RPM range). With the shift kit and new modulator, it's a totally different transmission :yesnod: It feels great, but I'm not sure that it's much of a performance gain.
Also, I don't shift mine manually, but I've read that you can't keep an auto in 1st when you've installed a shift kit (guess I could try one day with mine). You can hold second; I found that out accidentally the other day when I put it in 2nd versus 3rd. Something to think about.
You may want to note page 5 of the link above that talks about a possible Park or 1st internal interference problem. If it's nothing in the external linkage, that may be your problem, but that would also mean that someone has already been inside of your trans.
I've rambled, but one last thing: It wasn't an impossible job even for a trans novice like me, but I think most shops will put one in relatively cheap if they're rebuilding anyway.
Hope this helps, Good Luck.
There are others that are more involved, but I'm happy with it. Especcially with the addition of an adjustable vacuum modulator (versus the factory non-adjustable) which allows you to adjust the shift point (push them further up the RPM range). With the shift kit and new modulator, it's a totally different transmission :yesnod: It feels great, but I'm not sure that it's much of a performance gain.
Also, I don't shift mine manually, but I've read that you can't keep an auto in 1st when you've installed a shift kit (guess I could try one day with mine). You can hold second; I found that out accidentally the other day when I put it in 2nd versus 3rd. Something to think about.
You may want to note page 5 of the link above that talks about a possible Park or 1st internal interference problem. If it's nothing in the external linkage, that may be your problem, but that would also mean that someone has already been inside of your trans.
I've rambled, but one last thing: It wasn't an impossible job even for a trans novice like me, but I think most shops will put one in relatively cheap if they're rebuilding anyway.
Hope this helps, Good Luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,958
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From: Middletown Connecticut
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: "Auto with shift kit" ??? (jerryp58)
I dont know what mine has for a shift kit, but its definatley not stock.. when I'm cruising around town and it shifts to second when I'm babying the car, it throws me back in the seat, and when I'm racing it barks them pretty loud too.
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
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From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: "Auto with shift kit" ??? (Corzvette69)
All Vettes should have shift kits. The stock transmission is designed for little old ladies who want the car to be smooth and comfortable. So what they do is to engage the second ear clutch before disengaging the first gear clutch. This softens the shift but causes BOTH clutches to slip!
As far as shifting an auto manually, thats all I do when I want to go fast!
The next step however is to get an air shifter that shifts for you at the specified RPM. The good point being it's RPM programmable! Just look at Bracket racers, they all use air shifters...
If you are going to have your transmission shop install a shift kit I would ask them about it, most likely they don't need one, there is nothing magical about a shift kit, it just alows the average home mechanic to do it! Transmission shops know what needs to be done and have everything they need.
As far as shifting an auto manually, thats all I do when I want to go fast!
The next step however is to get an air shifter that shifts for you at the specified RPM. The good point being it's RPM programmable! Just look at Bracket racers, they all use air shifters...
If you are going to have your transmission shop install a shift kit I would ask them about it, most likely they don't need one, there is nothing magical about a shift kit, it just alows the average home mechanic to do it! Transmission shops know what needs to be done and have everything they need.
