What exactly is a shift kit and are they worth their money? Do they just affect shifting or is it a power increaser...works with a superchip?

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Things to come: coil spacers, 4.10 gears, Grill
ilmagill@aol.com For Pictures :
www.geocities.com/ilmagill

 

Kits like B & M and Transgo are very good improvements on the performance and extended life of a transmission. I am planning on doing one or the other later.

Basically what they do is changing some of the hydraulics and valving with stronger springs and some drilling here and there. They do not increase the power of your engine but they will improve the way power is transfered. Well, it's more than that but I will leave the tech to the experts and for the installation day. Usually they come with a video and we are supose to be able to install it without being transmission freaks or some sort of wizards.

I know someone with a kit will reply here soon with more info.

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My Ride: 1998 F150 4x4 Lariat Supercab Flareside 5.4L in Oxford White/gold, ORP, Tow Package, 3.55 Gears.

Modifications: K&N FIPK, Stepshield door sill protectors, Performance Accesories 3" body lift, Lift Lips, Gabriel Gas Ryder LT VST Shocks, Daystar front anti-sway bar polyurethane bushings and 35x12.5R16.5LT BFG All Terrain KO's on 16.5x9.75 American Eagle 589's.

Photos at: http://www.communicomgroup.com/jmtruck



[This message has been edited by JMTruck (edited 11-24-2000).]

 

A shift kit recalibrates the trans valve body (which has to be removed). It generally includes: separator plate and/or drill bit to modify, different springs and/or valves, and instructions. They are cheap and well worth the money. They create firm, positive shifts and generally have several levels to choose from. They can be used with or without a Superchip. Good Luck !!

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2000 F-150 XL, RC, LB, 5.4L, 4R70W, 3.55LS,
Class III tow, Payload #3, & Convenience pkgs.,
4-wheel disc/ABS, Chestnut/Parchment 40/60,
Ford bedliner w/Paintsaver & gas/wheel/spare locks,
Mobil 1, K&N oil filter, K&N F.I.P.K., Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back w/ 3" Y-pipe,
Hellwig front & rear anti-sway bars, Rancho RS 9000s.

 

ilmagill, the two posts above are *right on the money*.
My friends at Transgo sum it up on the front page of their instructions that come with their kits "short firm full throttle shifts with class, performance and durability".
I personally like the Transgo kits, because while I was a *rookie* the older techs used them during rebuilds. I seen the difference they make.
You don't have to have a performance vehicle to justify installing a kit - you can install one in Grandma's Ford Custom six banger. She will notice a difference *promise*.
I install the street version in the E4OD ambulances at work - the medics *really like them*.
And if you just happen to get a Superchip from Mike T. .....well it just makes it that much better!
If you want, go to my nascar page of my website and scroll down. I have a picture of my valve body on the workbench.

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1998 Nascar
TransGo shift kit - upgraded to AODE/4R70W-HD-2
K&N air filter
Superchip
Custom true duals with meanstreak muffler
Wrenchjock daytime running lamps
www.wrenchjock.8m.com/nascar.htm
In future: posi-track carrier,under pulleys, G-tech, FIPK, CD changer.
Supercharger on Santa list at work (who knows).

 

I installed the TransGo Shift Kit that I ordered from Summit Racing a couple of years ago. I knew nothing and probably still don't about automatic transmissions but the job went fairly smooth. I took and old TV and my VCR and set them up in my garage. I played the video that came with the kit as I worked and used the rewind button a few times.
I think there were three holes to drill in the valve body and then the rest was changing valves and springs. The springs were color coded so hard to get lost.

A couple of weeks after the install I was on a nice road and pulled the lever from D to 2 at about 45 mph just to see what would happen since the kit said it would hold any gear at any rpm. It shifted back, the rpm's climbed like crazy and all stayed together.

I also have a Superchip.

I am a satisfied customer.


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97 F-150, 2WD, Reg Cab,Flareside,Dk Toreador Red, Windsor 4.6, Magnecor 8.5mm wires, Bosch Plat +4s, 3.55 LS, EGR Bug Deflector, ******* Bed Cover, Bed Liner, XL Full Length Running Boards, Air Aid Kit, Gibson Single Out Cat Back, Superchips, TransGo Shift Kit, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Hellwig 2500# Overload Springs,Energy Suspension Polyurethane Front Sway Bar Bushings, 265 70 16 tires, Rancho RS9000 shocks

 

HI!... ILMAGILL : I installed a BAUMANN ENGINEERING shift kit in my 4R70-W tranny. I installed it on stage 5 . The highest rating in the kit is 6. That is totally a race mode, # 6. It took me about 2 hours to install. The kit cost me $325.00 (CAN). After the install I can massively chirp the tires during the 1st to 2nd gear upshift. I have posi with 275/60/R-17's with 28PSI in them. Not small tires. I can even get 2nd to 3rd chirps every once and a while. The only warning that I can give to you, is to be careful when driving in the rain. It's a little tricky! LOL!

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NEAL " THE H.P FREAK"
'99' F-150 XLT SPORT, oxford white, reg cab shortbox stepside,5.4, auto, 4.10L.S, captain's chairs, bedliner, GTS carbon fiber headlight covers, ***** CEPECK clear halogen driving lights, GTS slotted tailight covers (painted oxford white), fiberglass smooth wiper cowl (painted OXFORD WHITE), FORD locking lug nuts, tinted windows,true duel exhaust with 2.5 inch mandrel bent pipes and FLOWMASTER 3 chamber mufflers with 3' tailpipes exiting before the rear wheel like the LIGHTNING, HELLWIG rear stabalizer bar, 3 AUTOMETER guage pods, filled with tranny temp, engine temp, and oil preasure AUTOMETER "PHANTOM" guages,custom fabricated air intake trac and huge K/N filter, TPS mod, BELLTECH 2-inch rear drop, custom programed SUPERCHIP, BAUMANN ENGINEERING shift kit (on stage 5 setting)BYPASS CLUTCH CONTROL VALVE/PREASURE REGULATOR VALVE, ASP POWER PULLEYS, custom tig welded and ported JBA "JET BLACK coated headers, twin DERALE 16 INCH ELECTRIC FANS, PERMA COOL 14"/10" tranny cooler with 10" electric fan, custom ported (STOCK) throttle body, custom digital air intake temp sensor, custom ported TB intake elbow, relocated ATS.


FUTURE MODS : FORD SVT 24LB INJECTORS, CUSTOM SUPERCHIP FLIP-CHIP, BBK 75MM THROTTLE BODY, 80MM PRO-M MASS AIR METER, AADI F1 RAM AIR HOOD WITH CUSTOM FABRICATED RAM AIR SET-UP, CAL-TRAC TRACTION BARS, EXTRUDE HONED INTAKE MANIFOLD, SHM CUSTOM FUEL RAILS, SHM "RACE WATER PUMP, 90/10 FRONT CE SHOCKS, 70/30 REAR CE SHOCKS, BELL TECH 2/4 DROP, EXPEDITION CENTER CONSOLE, HARLEY DAVISON F-150, LOWER FRONT VALANCE (painted oxford white) and a KENNE BELL BLOWZILLA SUPERCHARGER.

ESTIMATED H.P TO DATE : 330H.P / 425ft/lbs of torque.

CURRENT PERFORMANCE : 1/4 MILE - 14.53E.T * MPH - 93.00 * 0-60MPH - 5.8 * 1/8 MILE - 9.2 * 60 FT - 2.0

OTHER TOYS : "83" PRO STREET FORD RANGER : 351-w stroked to 408c.i 625H.P (natural), 875H.P with 250H.P "BIG SHOT" N.O.S kit, tubbed (crome moly tubing), 12 point chrome moly roll cage, 4-link with coil overs, MUSTANG II front suspension, c-4 tranny (race prepped), 4000rpm stall converter(8 INCH), 3" chrome moly driveshaft,AUTOMETER guages, 15.50 MICKEY THOMPSON rear tires, 4" M/T front tires, CENTERLINE CON-VO PRO rims, fiberglass hood - bumper - prostock hood scoop, wishbone trac-link, two chrome moly driveshaft loops, 16 gallon RCI fuel cell,etc

 

How does the Transgo kit compare to B&M in performance and price? I am considering a kit. Which one is the best and cheapest? (:

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1998 F250 XLT 4x4 reg. cab/long box 5.4L auto with 3.73 gears.

Modifications:

K&N air filter, removed cold air intake.
Lund Intercepter bug shield.
Molded mud flaps
Husky floor liner

 

So basically this is a good thing even for a normal daily city driver? How much have they been running, $ ?