What shift kit? need advice.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 14
From: Grand Sport #82
What shift kit? need advice.
I want to ad a shift kit on my 87 Coupe. I have made aragments with the local shop, that i will buy the kit, and they will install it for me.
I want tighter and faster skifts, less clutch "slip" at WOT acceleration.
My car has 90k miles. Had the filter and oil changed 500 miles ago, NO "dirt" debris in the oil at all. Mechanic said it looked quite good.
So what kit to go with?
As for instalation, I dont want the tranny removed from the car, or any holes drilled etc.
I want tighter and faster skifts, less clutch "slip" at WOT acceleration.
My car has 90k miles. Had the filter and oil changed 500 miles ago, NO "dirt" debris in the oil at all. Mechanic said it looked quite good.
So what kit to go with?
As for instalation, I dont want the tranny removed from the car, or any holes drilled etc.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,969
Likes: 710
From: WI
The kits I have used, all needed drilling. Only in the seperator plate though. The transgo kit is nice but expensive. I am very happy with the TCI kit that I installed in mine. What ever kit you get, make sure to get a new seperator plate, the kit may not come with one. Also this is a good time to add a drain plug to the pan, put in a better pan, or put in a trans. temp. gauge.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,077
Likes: 4
From: Scarborough ONTARIO
The kits I have used, all needed drilling. Only in the seperator plate though. The transgo kit is nice but expensive. I am very happy with the TCI kit that I installed in mine. What ever kit you get, make sure to get a new seperator plate, the kit may not come with one. Also this is a good time to add a drain plug to the pan, put in a better pan, or put in a trans. temp. gauge.
when pete k built my transmission and i decided to go with transgo shift kit stage 2, pete has to drill holes in separator plate and they will be permanent, u dont have to buy another plate b/c u will love it, transgo kit involves quite a bit of work, pete drove my car and he love the shifts and decided to go with his own transmission, he usually uses B & M all these years due to its simplicity to install and cheaper than transgo, also if u go with B M kit u dont need to drill any holes (conform this to pete k though). At the same to upgrade pan to 2 qrt deep pan, it comes with drain plug and fin tubes inside the pan which results in another 10 deg off in temp. But its an option.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 3
From: Citrus Heights California
This is the kit that I had installed. It firms the shifts but not to hard. At WOT it shifts later and hard. A transmission specialist can program it to fit your needs. I was due for a transmission service so I had them do everything. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Perfo...mZ180096081784 I think I paid about $80.00 at auction. The buy it now price is a little high.
Last edited by Kool88vette; Apr 2, 2007 at 11:33 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 19,654
Likes: 429
From: Melbourne Florida
Cruise-In IV Veteran
I have the Transgo in my 93...I went with the "Full Race" version since I drag race so much...at part throttle the shifts are a bit harsh..BUT...at WOT the shifts are lightening fast and smooth as silk...the tach needle hardly drops at all it shifts so fast...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 14
From: Grand Sport #82
Did the kit include everything needed?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 3
From: Citrus Heights California
Here's a kit for $81.00 . (T74171) I think this is what you want. The transmission specialist can make it shift as hard and quick as you want. They adjust it by adding spacers to your servo and make it shift hard. They can change your govenor weights and make it shift later. They also change the stock springs. I told the specialist that I wanted firm shifts. He made them so hard I was afraid I would break my neck at WOT. I had him adjust it again. Now it good for the street and strip. The shifts get progressively harder as you apply more throttle. It also shifts at a higher RPM.
http://www.bulkpart.com/Merchant2/me...60-700R4vbkits
http://www.bulkpart.com/Merchant2/me...60-700R4vbkits
Last edited by Kool88vette; Apr 2, 2007 at 12:43 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,077
Likes: 4
From: Scarborough ONTARIO
instead of grinding some weight u might install smaller weight and softer springs but this one sells for 40 bux, so he just grind it to make shift at later points.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 14
From: Grand Sport #82
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
The B&m kit works by locking the accumulators with spacers. It is primative in design, but works ok. B&M kits have a reputation for breaking drivetrain parts, but I have never seen any evidence of this.
The B&M kit will require drilling the seperator plate, therefore I recommend buying a new one with the kit. This way, it is reversible if you choose.
The B&M kit will require drilling the seperator plate, therefore I recommend buying a new one with the kit. This way, it is reversible if you choose.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 3
From: Citrus Heights California
The B&M shift kit makes it shift too hard. That's not good. I had a B&M. It would chirp the tires in second even at partial throttle. It would bang hard always. I found it annoying. It didn't change the shift points. I like the Transgo.
Last edited by Kool88vette; Apr 2, 2007 at 11:10 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
I combine the two TransGo Shift kits to get the smooth 1-2 part throttle shifts and firm WOT shifts. This is with "B" or "A" accumulators in the vavle body. If you have the "M" accumulator, then the TransGo Junior Shift kit is not needed/added here, and do not add spacers to the band adjustment, or take out the springs and snap ring if you want a smooth 1-2 part throttle shift. If the 1-2 WOT shift is not firm enough, then you can put in a slightly stiffer spring in the 2nd gear accumulator housing. You can have smooth 1-2 part throttle shifts, and firm WOT shifts if done correctly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 6,694
Likes: 3
From: Less Talk, More WOT | Houston TX
I have the Transgo Full Race on my '89 as well. The shifts are quick and smooth and very firm at WOT. I love it. 
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 140
From: Salem NH
The B&m kit works by locking the accumulators with spacers. It is primative in design, but works ok. B&M kits have a reputation for breaking drivetrain parts, but I have never seen any evidence of this.
The B&M kit will require drilling the seperator plate, therefore I recommend buying a new one with the kit. This way, it is reversible if you choose.
The B&M kit will require drilling the seperator plate, therefore I recommend buying a new one with the kit. This way, it is reversible if you choose.
The snap ring for the low/reverse valve tricked me. I thought I had it in the right groove the first time but didnt. Had no reverse. On inspection, I got it right the second time and all is well.
-- Joe
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Thats kinda what everyone said when I did mine. I went with the full transgo. Took about 6 hours to do the whole thing on a bench. Fun stuff.
The snap ring for the low/reverse valve tricked me. I thought I had it in the right groove the first time but didnt. Had no reverse. On inspection, I got it right the second time and all is well.
-- Joe
The snap ring for the low/reverse valve tricked me. I thought I had it in the right groove the first time but didnt. Had no reverse. On inspection, I got it right the second time and all is well.
-- Joe
There is a popular thrans builder on the East coast that absolutely hates the transgo stuff and swears it tears up transmissions. I will run the nutz off mine at the strip for a year or 2 and tear it down for inspection.