TH-400 shift kit recomandations
Thread Starter
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
TH-400 shift kit recomandations
Anyone who has a TH-400 with a shift kit, what brand kit did you use? Are you happy with it? Why did you choose the one you did? Any horror stories with any particular brand? I am going to do this myself, it seems like a reasonably easy job, as long as I take my time!
Thanks
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
FIRST off, NO tranny should get a shift kit unless i'ts a fresh rebuild....with good parts, otherwise you just asking for troubles....been there done that, beleive me....
saying that....there is only ONE shift kit worth having...
Trans Go.....especially for a 400 turbo....
I had one go 350k miles, TOUGH miles, and it finally quit chirping rubber into 3rd gear....too bad so sad....
GENE
saying that....there is only ONE shift kit worth having...
Trans Go.....especially for a 400 turbo....
I had one go 350k miles, TOUGH miles, and it finally quit chirping rubber into 3rd gear....too bad so sad....
GENE
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,269
Likes: 3
From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
The Transgo kit can be modified by drilling out the valve plate. I would suggest not drilling it out unless you really like the neck snapping feeling every time it shifts, even when driving slowly.
Last edited by Big Fish; Jan 14, 2005 at 06:22 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
I'm gonna cut across the grain.
I rebuilt my TH400 (first auto tranny rebuild ever).
I used the B+M TransKit, which includes all parts except
for bushings. The rebuild was fairly easy (but a dirty job at first).
I installed the "street/strip" level of shift kit.
First day driving to work on the highway, I was going about 60 -
about to pass an 18-wheeler that was in the right lane.
He put his directional on to switch into my lane. I was just
about to come along side him, so I punched the gas.
Keep in mind, I have a 75 L48 with over 100k miles (still runs great).
The tranny downshifted into 2nd, RPMs came up and at 60MPH
the rear tires (255s) let out a loud chirp - then I launched right
by the big-rig.
I had a big grin after that ... definitely PLEASED.
Under normal driving, it doesn't snap you back, but under heavy throttle - look out.
So, if you are gonna pull the tranny, then shoot a couple hundred bux
and rebuild it, too. If left in the car - just shift kit it.
I rebuilt my TH400 (first auto tranny rebuild ever).
I used the B+M TransKit, which includes all parts except
for bushings. The rebuild was fairly easy (but a dirty job at first).
I installed the "street/strip" level of shift kit.
First day driving to work on the highway, I was going about 60 -
about to pass an 18-wheeler that was in the right lane.
He put his directional on to switch into my lane. I was just
about to come along side him, so I punched the gas.
Keep in mind, I have a 75 L48 with over 100k miles (still runs great).
The tranny downshifted into 2nd, RPMs came up and at 60MPH
the rear tires (255s) let out a loud chirp - then I launched right
by the big-rig.
I had a big grin after that ... definitely PLEASED.
Under normal driving, it doesn't snap you back, but under heavy throttle - look out.
So, if you are gonna pull the tranny, then shoot a couple hundred bux
and rebuild it, too. If left in the car - just shift kit it.
Thread Starter
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
Thanks guys for the recomandations, I have been leaning towards the TransGo kit all along, just wanted some input. My TH-400 has just been professionally rebuilt with all the best parts, no expense spared, but I didn't put a shift kit in it because at the time I wasn't sure I wanted one. After driving the car for 6 months, I now want to have a firmer shift. I am also going to instal the B&M governor re-calibration kit to change the WOT shift point to whatever I want it to be.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,987
From: Connecticut, USA
I pretty much did the same thing that Dave did,use dthe B&M TransKit to overhaul the tranny. I added a early TH400 drum 32 element clutch to replace the weaker one that is in the 72 TH400. Overkill for my 325 hp with 3:08's. Norval says I'm annal what can I say 
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
The previous owner had the tranny rebuilt and installed a shift kit - I like that it shifts faster but it is way too hard. It feels like the rear end is breaking when I put it in gear and when accelerating I get too much of this neck snapping feeling...
I probably have it rebuilt again and the shift kit removed.... I don't even know which kit was installed and if it was modified.....
I probably have it rebuilt again and the shift kit removed.... I don't even know which kit was installed and if it was modified.....