B & M Shiftplus 'shift improver' for 4L60E
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
B & M Shiftplus 'shift improver' for 4L60E
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...rtnumber=70380
I've got one of these on the way for my '95. I did an advanced forum search on it in C4 tech current + archives. Mixed reviews. Ordered from Advance Auto Parts so that if it is the blah, I can refund it at one of their local stores.
Its just a shift firmness increaser (by programming), doesn't make the shifts faster like a true mechanical shift kit such as Trans-go.
How come? Well, truly ever the dealer shop replaced the torque converter in 2003 under GM Major Guard ext warranty the shifts have been softer and in particular the 3-4 shift has felt boggy. Yesterday I took the car to a local transmission shop that has a good reputation (Comp if you're reading it was the shop you mentioned in PM quite a while back). Tech connected a scanner and took it for a drive with me riding passenger. No codes and he felt like it was shifting normally for 3-4 up and 4-3 down, maybe a little soft but not indicative of anything wrong. I'm looking only to firm up the shifts not speed them up into bang-shifts so this B&M I hope fits the bill.
Interesting that the shifts softened a little after new torque converter installed. I've heard this indicative of a tc that has a higher rpm stall than stock?
I'll report back with a post after I've got the B&M installed.
I've got one of these on the way for my '95. I did an advanced forum search on it in C4 tech current + archives. Mixed reviews. Ordered from Advance Auto Parts so that if it is the blah, I can refund it at one of their local stores.
Its just a shift firmness increaser (by programming), doesn't make the shifts faster like a true mechanical shift kit such as Trans-go.
How come? Well, truly ever the dealer shop replaced the torque converter in 2003 under GM Major Guard ext warranty the shifts have been softer and in particular the 3-4 shift has felt boggy. Yesterday I took the car to a local transmission shop that has a good reputation (Comp if you're reading it was the shop you mentioned in PM quite a while back). Tech connected a scanner and took it for a drive with me riding passenger. No codes and he felt like it was shifting normally for 3-4 up and 4-3 down, maybe a little soft but not indicative of anything wrong. I'm looking only to firm up the shifts not speed them up into bang-shifts so this B&M I hope fits the bill.
Interesting that the shifts softened a little after new torque converter installed. I've heard this indicative of a tc that has a higher rpm stall than stock?
I'll report back with a post after I've got the B&M installed.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
B&M shift kits lock the accumulators. They almost always cause a part throttle bang. It was cool when I was 20, but I do not like mine as much now that 40 is around the corner. I have also seen a few rear planetary gearsets break after a few years of using the B&M.
I have one in my 87, but I do not install too many of them anymore.
I have one in my 87, but I do not install too many of them anymore.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 800
Likes: 3
From: Port Orange FL
I have used that little electronic shift improver on 3 different vehicles. One was an S-10 blazer, the 2nd an astro van, and the 3rd my corvette. I found it to be a very effective and useful gadget on the first two, less so on the vette. I can only assume that the pressure is already higher on the vette to start with. You can feel the difference, but it is not dramatic like it was on the two trucks.
Roy
Roy
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
B&M shift kits lock the accumulators. They almost always cause a part throttle bang. It was cool when I was 20, but I do not like mine as much now that 40 is around the corner. I have also seen a few rear planetary gearsets break after a few years of using the B&M.
I have one in my 87, but I do not install too many of them anymore.
I have one in my 87, but I do not install too many of them anymore.
Pete, this is just a programmer and the transmission is not opened up to put in parts or replace anything. Only works on the electronically controlled transmissions like 4L60E. The one in your '87 would have to be a different one.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Sorry about that. I forgot they even made that. I have not seen it in years. As you mentioned, I was referring to the transpack.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 707
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse Utah
The Shift Plus does nothing more than substitute resistance values fed to the car computer which then tells the trans to increase the pump pressure. Effectiveness hinges on the general condition of the transmission. I would like to see some homemade versions if anyone has pics or info. They are quite simple devices but I have been hesitant to tap into the wiring harness going into the computer.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Well, I picked the Shift Improver up today and opened it up. Maybe I should have checked into the install procedures more before buying it, because I would have to drill a hole in the firewall for the wire, and then as mentioned by Hotred94 it requires you to splice in to two wires on the PCM wiring harness.
Won't be butchering up my Vette to install this thing, so its going back for a refund.
Call me stupid but from the advertising I thought it plugged in to the ALDL port and did its thing that way...
Won't be butchering up my Vette to install this thing, so its going back for a refund.
Call me stupid but from the advertising I thought it plugged in to the ALDL port and did its thing that way...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
