Torque Converter or Shift Kit
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Millington Mi
Torque Converter or Shift Kit
I have a 92 automatic and I'm looking at installing one of these in the spring.
The shift kit appeals to me because I understand that, with a TransGo you can treat your car like a manual, but I was also told that I wouldn't notice much of a difference in day to day driving.
The torque converter appeals to me because I was told that it will give me a noticable difference in low end acceleration.
I (obviously) don't know much about transmissions, so I turn to you people for help.
Am I understanding what benefits these two products will give me?
Also what price am I looking at for purchasing and having installed both options?
thanks
The shift kit appeals to me because I understand that, with a TransGo you can treat your car like a manual, but I was also told that I wouldn't notice much of a difference in day to day driving.
The torque converter appeals to me because I was told that it will give me a noticable difference in low end acceleration.
I (obviously) don't know much about transmissions, so I turn to you people for help.
Am I understanding what benefits these two products will give me?
Also what price am I looking at for purchasing and having installed both options?
thanks
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 0
From: Brandywine, Chester and Ridley Valleys Pennsylvania
Re: Torque Converter or Shift Kit (Bradley3)
Well, the torque converter is more involved to install (must seperate the tranny from the engine) and is more "intrusive" on daily driving. It will also give your 92 a serious boost in acceleration (take .3 or .4 off your et). They run about $350 or so for one with good street manners.
The shift kit can be installed in your driveway with hand tools and a jack. It will firm up your shifts, but it won't give you nearly as much E.T. gain as the TC will.
You may want to look into getting your computer reprogrammed, as the 4l60e in your 92 is electronically controlled. This would probably do the trick for you, as the stock tranny can do pretty well without opening it up.
The shift kit can be installed in your driveway with hand tools and a jack. It will firm up your shifts, but it won't give you nearly as much E.T. gain as the TC will.
You may want to look into getting your computer reprogrammed, as the 4l60e in your 92 is electronically controlled. This would probably do the trick for you, as the stock tranny can do pretty well without opening it up.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: Torque Converter or Shift Kit (TrueBlue ChevyDude)
I am waiting until my tranny goes poopie before I do those. When it does go out, I'll be putting a 2800stall converter in as well as a shift kit.
If you're tranny is in very good shape, then I would do the TC first. I've heard of the shift kits tearing trannies to pieces if they aren't in very good condition.
If you're tranny is in very good shape, then I would do the TC first. I've heard of the shift kits tearing trannies to pieces if they aren't in very good condition.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock,Austin, Texas
Re: Torque Converter or Shift Kit (Bradley33)
Im installing a Converter next week. I got a 2800 Yank for 300 and the install will be 225. But I rode in my bros car after his converter and I did notice a big difference. You stay in your powerband alot longer. Thats why I went with converter. Cant wait till its in. :cheers:
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Millington mI
Re: Torque Converter or Shift Kit (Bradley33)
I've heard that Transgo kits actually INCREASE the life of your transmission.
My transmission was just rebuilt about 18,000 miles ago, so I'm not in a hurry to do anything to shorten it's life.
Keeping the car in it's powerband longer sounds quite appealing. However if I'm correct in my assumption that a shift kit will let me operate my tranny like a manual transmission if I so desire... well that is appealing as well.
My transmission was just rebuilt about 18,000 miles ago, so I'm not in a hurry to do anything to shorten it's life.
Keeping the car in it's powerband longer sounds quite appealing. However if I'm correct in my assumption that a shift kit will let me operate my tranny like a manual transmission if I so desire... well that is appealing as well.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: Torque Converter or Shift Kit (Bradley3)
Theoretically yes, because they make it shift harder, which means less slip in the tranny's bands. Now, think about how much more strain you're putting on the insides when you grip it harder with a lot of power .. that's why you get the problems. That's why I'm waiting until mine needs rebuilding and at that time I'll put kevlar bands etc in so that it will be able to handle the shift kit properly.
Some kits go as far as making your automatic tranny a manually shifting automatic. You HAVE to shift it manually, yet there is no clutch. Those kits are quite expensive though.
[Modified by Glock'94, 5:28 PM 2/13/2002]
Some kits go as far as making your automatic tranny a manually shifting automatic. You HAVE to shift it manually, yet there is no clutch. Those kits are quite expensive though.
[Modified by Glock'94, 5:28 PM 2/13/2002]
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Tinley Park, IL.
Re: Torque Converter or Shift Kit (Glock'94)
To get better life out of your trans, I'd say go with a B & M or Perma Cool trans cooler also. Maybe even a TCI pan since you'll have it apart. :seeya
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: Torque Converter or Shift Kit (ezmoney92)
To get better life out of your trans, I'd say go with a B & M or Perma Cool trans cooler also. Maybe even a TCI pan since you'll have it apart. :seeya
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 790
Likes: 2
Re: Torque Converter or Shift Kit (NoWorries)
Just for clarification. Your transmission is a 4L60, NOT a 4L60E. Those didn't come out until 93. A 4L60 is a 700R4 by any other name. I'm gonna go with a shift kit first because I want to firm it up. I don't drag race it, but I still want a torgue converter one of these days.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Re: Torque Converter or Shift Kit (Glock'94)
actually the E version did not come out until 94. The 2 ways (that I know of ) to tell the difference is the E version does not use a TV cable. Also the computer on the non E version has a chip that can be changed.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Montreal Quebec
Re: Torque Converter or Shift Kit (Bradley33)
You can get a shift kit to allow you to shift the automatic manually, but there is still a delay.
To get it to behave like a manual without a clutch, the best thing to do would be to get a manual valvebody, which is allot firmer than any shift kit.
The only problem is that it is like driving a 3 speed manual with an overdrive.
Summit sells them, but it would need to get rebuilt to install it.
JMR
To get it to behave like a manual without a clutch, the best thing to do would be to get a manual valvebody, which is allot firmer than any shift kit.
The only problem is that it is like driving a 3 speed manual with an overdrive.
Summit sells them, but it would need to get rebuilt to install it.
JMR
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: Torque Converter or Shift Kit (Red 86 4+3)
actually the E version did not come out until 94. The 2 ways (that I know of ) to tell the difference is the E version does not use a TV cable. Also the computer on the non E version has a chip that can be changed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Re: Torque Converter or Shift Kit (NoWorries)
I think they started switching to Electronic control in mid-93, possibly late-92 in some applications.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: Torque Converter or Shift Kit (Bradley33)
Sheeeet!! I think my torque converter is letting lose :( ... i'm getting a shutter at 3500rpm and it's stalling higher than it used to. Man.. my car hates me!!!
[Modified by Glock'94, 9:05 PM 2/14/2002]
[Modified by Glock'94, 9:05 PM 2/14/2002]
