What ATF with Shift Kit?
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,573
Likes: 7,015
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
"According" to Google....Type F is for Ford transmissions. However, it is supposed to provide firmer shifts in GM transmissions with "shift kits" installed in them.
The decision is up to you.
The decision is up to you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,444
Likes: 970
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
I ran Ford Type F tranny fluid in my 73 Nova SS with Turbo 350 for all of the 80’s until I sold the car in 1990. I had a B&M shift kit along 2 external air cooled ONLY tranny coolers in the grill and beat the heck out of that transmission. Change the fluid and filter often and those trannies will last a long time...The Turbo 350 had 168,000 miles on it when sold and stilll shifting perfectly.......
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 73
Likes: 1
From: Opelika Alabama
I ran Ford Type F tranny fluid in my 73 Nova SS with Turbo 350 for all of the 80’s until I sold the car in 1990. I had a B&M shift kit along 2 external air cooled ONLY tranny coolers in the grill and beat the heck out of that transmission. Change the fluid and filter often and those trannies will last a long time...The Turbo 350 had 168,000 miles on it when sold and stilll shifting perfectly.......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,444
Likes: 970
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
Thanks for your input. I believe that B&M says to run Type F with their kit but I don't know what Transgo recommends...lots of people are saying not to run Type F in a GM tranny. Think I'll play it safe and use Dexron. The shift kit should give the snappy shift that L'm looking for (I hope)...
My duaghter’s 01 Grand Prix with the crap FWD 4T65E transmission has 2 external coolers (air cooling only), runs Dexron VI in place of the factory Dexron III, transgo Shift kit, Fluid/Filter changes every 20K miles, and tha tranny is at 210,000 miles and shifts perfectly when these transmissions fail at 50K-100K routinely..........
Last edited by jb78L-82; Jun 3, 2018 at 08:54 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
In the TH350 I had in my Olds Cutlass, with a shift kit, I ran dexron for 100000 miles and had no problems. It would chrip the tires going into 2nd every time I had my foot in it, and I loved it!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,014
Likes: 2,257
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
The Type F is considered a "high impact" fluid and the Dexron a "high lubricity" fluid. The Type F will shift firmer and I always used it in T-350's and 400's. The Dexron was designed to smooth the shifts.
Lots of race guys use John Deere hyd fluid and it works killer!
JIM
Lots of race guys use John Deere hyd fluid and it works killer!
JIM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
I’ve been running my Th350 for 7 years with a shift kit from B&M with valvoline maxlife full synthetic .
Most of the time I don’t need that firm shift and it shifts normally for normal driving. When I get on it though it shifts fast and firm. Adjustable modulater is a good thing too for getting what you want when you want it.
Most of the time I don’t need that firm shift and it shifts normally for normal driving. When I get on it though it shifts fast and firm. Adjustable modulater is a good thing too for getting what you want when you want it.
Last edited by REELAV8R; Jun 4, 2018 at 03:41 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 289
From: Spring Park MN
I've used type F in GM trannys without problems. It does make for a firmer shift. I used type F in my 2 speed trans in my top fuel bike. Plates still looked new after several seasons.
I will add to what Jim said about type F and Dexron. Dexron will handle higher temps than F without breaking down. A good cooler is really important with type F.
B&M Trick Shift fluid is just basically a type F fluid.
Mike
I will add to what Jim said about type F and Dexron. Dexron will handle higher temps than F without breaking down. A good cooler is really important with type F.
B&M Trick Shift fluid is just basically a type F fluid.
Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
The difference is in friction modifiers. Older Ford transmission clutches tended to slip a little during engagement. GM uses a different clutch material that is a little grabby. Ford or FA fluid is designed to prevent slippage. GM or Dextron is designed to prevent grabbing. Using Type F was the first GM shift kit. Most of the time when the "hard" clutch plates are used in a refresh / rebuild Type F is required. Dextron was used in older Ford transmissions to lesson harsh shift complaints.