B&M Shift Improver Q?
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B&M Shift Improver Q?
Going to put a B&M Shift Improver Kit in my 84' since I'm putting a new filter in the trans. You can do the Stage 1 or Stage 2. This is not a race or show car but a nice day to work and weekend driver. I'm thinking the Stage 1 may not no be noticeable enough from what I've read and may go straight to Stage 2... but I don't wanna risk blowing up the trans as it has a few miles on it.... although it is working fine. I want quicker and firmer shifts...
Any feedback appreciated!
Any feedback appreciated!
Last edited by Buddee; Dec 16, 2013 at 11:45 AM.
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
I had a shift kit installed in my daily driver (Chevy truck) years ago. After a week, I took it back and paid the same guy to remove it.
If I were you, I wouldn't do it on a DD. If you absolutely must, go as mild as you can!
If I were you, I wouldn't do it on a DD. If you absolutely must, go as mild as you can!
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Just wanted to bring this back up one more time before I make a decision and get my hands dirty 
Anyone else have any experience with the Stage 1 or Stage 2?
Anyone else have any experience with the Stage 1 or Stage 2?
Last edited by Buddee; Dec 17, 2013 at 12:14 PM.
Le Mans Master
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From: Valparaiso
i got that installed and i loved it, still going on strong after 5 years.
it stopped doing the 1-2 chirp when i got drag radials.
From what i know a firmer shift will prolong your transmission life.
it stopped doing the 1-2 chirp when i got drag radials.
From what i know a firmer shift will prolong your transmission life.
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the Band M kit is good but do the the stage two but instead of putting the spacer in the 1-2 accumlator use the stock spring or a 2-3 accumlator spring from a th 350 this will make part throttle 1-2 shifts more tolerable
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Bringing this thread back from the dead.... never got around to installing the kit until now. Pan is off and I'm about to reassemble. I plan on the doing Stage 2 - STREET.
I like the about suggestion leaving the stock spring in the 1-2 accumulater to lessen the harshness of the 1-2 shift. The kit calls for the blue (3/4") spacer and red spacer (3/8") to be stacked. If I put in a yellow (5/8) and red (3/8") will that achieve the same result... but maybe not as smooth. I kinda want the best of both worlds!
Anyone have experience with either set-up?
I like the about suggestion leaving the stock spring in the 1-2 accumulater to lessen the harshness of the 1-2 shift. The kit calls for the blue (3/4") spacer and red spacer (3/8") to be stacked. If I put in a yellow (5/8) and red (3/8") will that achieve the same result... but maybe not as smooth. I kinda want the best of both worlds!
Anyone have experience with either set-up?
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Kind of.
Spacers or nuts?
Really whats the difference. (thats a rhetorical question.)
$50 for a few drill bits (that you probably already have), a pin, and a spring that may or may not give you more line pressure than stock.
Instructions are available online.
The kit is garbage, their kit for the turbo 400...trans builders call it the sprag killer, it'll make it shift so hard it breaks the intermediate sprag even under 300 hp.
And they say it helps transmission life...
Spacers or nuts?
Really whats the difference. (thats a rhetorical question.) $50 for a few drill bits (that you probably already have), a pin, and a spring that may or may not give you more line pressure than stock.
Instructions are available online.
The kit is garbage, their kit for the turbo 400...trans builders call it the sprag killer, it'll make it shift so hard it breaks the intermediate sprag even under 300 hp.
And they say it helps transmission life...
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Just in case anyone else will be looking for info...... I Spoke with B&M. They confirmed that using the yellow (5/8") spacer will reduce the harshness of the 1-2 shift. They also said you could reuse the spring if you wanted as well. I used the yellow spacer and have the kit installed now. When the snow melts I'll give an update.
