85 700R4 - Trashed by do-it-yourselfer with a transgo shift kit.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: Nova Scotia Canada, Eh.
85 700R4 - Trashed by do-it-yourselfer with a transgo shift kit.
Hey Folks.
I put out a few posts over the past couple months regarding putting in a transgo shift kit. I got lots of good advice and as things started to go wrong, still some good notes back.
I just want to let everyone know how it turned out.
The install went smoothly - so I thought. I do recommend jackstands as high as you can go and a garage with smooth floor.
I put the Boost valve snap ring in the wrong place - that caused no reverse, then when it let go of all places - in traffic, turning left in front of a dump truck. I had to rev the snot out of it to get to safety. I should have taken it to a shop there and then. The burnt clutch material started going into the governor and the boost valve. That made things keep getting worse. I kept at trying to fix it myself, but was only continuing the accelerated wear.
I finally lost 3rd and that's when I found the transmisison shop. He showed me the tranny as it came out and was disassembled. If it was a soft part in there, I cooked it. I had a complete rebuild (with shift kit remaining) done, to the tune of $1400 cdn. incl tax.
The tranny works great now, and the shift kit is really cool. I love that 1-2 bark and locking 2nd in is really going to help in some of that parking lot slalom racing this summer.
See ya.
I put out a few posts over the past couple months regarding putting in a transgo shift kit. I got lots of good advice and as things started to go wrong, still some good notes back.
I just want to let everyone know how it turned out.
The install went smoothly - so I thought. I do recommend jackstands as high as you can go and a garage with smooth floor.
I put the Boost valve snap ring in the wrong place - that caused no reverse, then when it let go of all places - in traffic, turning left in front of a dump truck. I had to rev the snot out of it to get to safety. I should have taken it to a shop there and then. The burnt clutch material started going into the governor and the boost valve. That made things keep getting worse. I kept at trying to fix it myself, but was only continuing the accelerated wear.
I finally lost 3rd and that's when I found the transmisison shop. He showed me the tranny as it came out and was disassembled. If it was a soft part in there, I cooked it. I had a complete rebuild (with shift kit remaining) done, to the tune of $1400 cdn. incl tax.
The tranny works great now, and the shift kit is really cool. I love that 1-2 bark and locking 2nd in is really going to help in some of that parking lot slalom racing this summer.
See ya.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: 85 700R4 - Trashed by do-it-yourselfer with a transgo shift kit. (shansen)
Sorry for the problems with the installation but with the racing it was likely time for a rebuild.
I had my shift kit installed with the rebuild and a TC to minimize total costs and too am realy pleased with the results.
These sports cars should shift like a sports car and now it does.
Enjoy the new driving pleasure.
I had my shift kit installed with the rebuild and a TC to minimize total costs and too am realy pleased with the results.
These sports cars should shift like a sports car and now it does.
Enjoy the new driving pleasure.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Pitman NJ
Re: 85 700R4 - Trashed by do-it-yourselfer with a transgo shift kit. (shansen)
been there done that. Now that your rebuilt I'd go with Mobil 1 synthetic tranny fliud and add a trans cooler. Heat is the killer.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 13,356
Likes: 0
From: tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Re: 85 700R4 - Trashed by do-it-yourselfer with a transgo shift kit. (shansen)
Thats exactly why I don't buy the kit and try to install it myself....just to many variables.....
Don't want to screw up......
Thats for sure...
tony
:D :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :D
Don't want to screw up......
Thats for sure...
tony
:D :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :D
Pro
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
From: South Lyon Michigan
Re: 85 700R4 - Trashed by do-it-yourselfer with a transgo shift kit. (oldace84)
Definately put a trans cooler on there. Transgo even has the video on how to install their kits but sometimes people just make mistakes. I'm going to rebuild a 700R4 for the first time next week so hopefully I will do it right.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,247
Likes: 2
From: Parker, Colorado, USofA
Re: 85 700R4 - Trashed by do-it-yourselfer with a transgo shift kit. (JDANNER)
There's an alternative to the trans cooler:
Get a higher capacity finned aluminum tranny pan. The additional surface area and fins greatly enhance the tranny's ability to deal with heat.
Also, 'T' off the stock cooler outlet lines and run a temp gauge to it. That's the point where the fluid is the hottest*, giving you some feedback as to when you should get off that loud pedal!
*=tapping a temp sensor out of anywhere else isn't a good idea. The cooler outlet line is directly upstream from the torque converter. The Torque converter is the single biggest source of heat generating potential.
Get a higher capacity finned aluminum tranny pan. The additional surface area and fins greatly enhance the tranny's ability to deal with heat.
Also, 'T' off the stock cooler outlet lines and run a temp gauge to it. That's the point where the fluid is the hottest*, giving you some feedback as to when you should get off that loud pedal!
*=tapping a temp sensor out of anywhere else isn't a good idea. The cooler outlet line is directly upstream from the torque converter. The Torque converter is the single biggest source of heat generating potential.
