Yes, for now. I will put a 2-2200 in there from Hughes eventually.
Should I install a shift kit?
- Thread starter MrSony
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I built a transmission fixture that I bolted to my work bench I was worth the small amount of work imo there pics of in in a thread 1979 Cutlass build
The 200r4 was the first transmission that I installed a 'mild' B & M shift kit. I read the instructions and the GM service manual countless of times to make sure I understood the procedure and what kind of parts I was working with.
Even with this mild shift kit there was a noticeable increase in the fun factor.
Even with this mild shift kit there was a noticeable increase in the fun factor.
Greetings Mr Sony & all; I have a rule that is seldom broken. If I get the Bronze Brick out of the garage it's gonna see a FULL On shift (6500 R's now days) in at least one gear. Of course if the wife is with me it gets broken! About April of 79 (car was about 8 months old) my old friend (Denny's transmissions - Janesville) put a Trans Go Tow & Go shift kit in my nearly new (6-7000 miles) TH-350. Clipped the governor springs raising the shift point from 4500 R's to around 5000 R's. The engine was stock then, but not for long. So the next year I put the headers on & then the modest cam. And B&M came out with a governor kit so we raised the shift point to 5400 R's. The 8.5 compression LM-1, 350 inch was just a big (Ok medium size) disappointment! 1985 came & the first 406 incher went in. We tweaked the governor again raising the shift point to 5800 R's. 1996 a fresh 406 goes in with more cam so I raise the shift point again to 6200 R's and that proved to be a challenge. So I purchased a second governor kit & a scale to weigh the weights. And found that the original kit had two missed marked weights making the governor adjustments a pain in the posterior. The second kit made it supper simple to dial in the governor shift points. So 2004 another fresh 406 with More cam & simple re tweak to the governor raising the shift point to 6500 R's (todays setting). During all these years the only thing we did to the trans was fluid, filter & converter swaps. Along comes 2005 & my trans just doesn't like the extra torque of the new engine, the TH-350 retires! 25 years & 95,000 miles of heavy duty use (OK some would call it abuse?) I don't think the trans would of lasted that long without the Trans Go shift kit? We saved the case, main shaft & a few of miscellaneous parts. The rest went in the trash. The pump was so eroded from the extra pressure all those years it was amazing to look at. I hope this helps persuade you to put in said kit. And depending witch shift spring you install into the valve body will determine your part throttle shift pressure making part throttle a easer shift. Take care Ole' Bob.
Yes, you should. We install upgraded exhaust systems because the sound makes the car more enjoyable. In the exact same manner, every (conventional) automatic transmission is more fun with a shift kit.
Back when I was drag racing my turbo Dodge Caravan, I installed a Cheetah reverse-pattern manual valve body. Before putting it in, I had a friend modify it for firmer shifts. It was fantastic--the shifts were firm and very predictable/consistent (which is a major boon when bracket racing). It was also fun to occasionally bark second on the street.
In my Grand Prix, I am running the TCI EZ-TCU controller to operate my 4L80E. This controller really likes firm shifts; it barks second all over town, and every on-throttle gear change will toss your head. Call me an overgrown teenager, I don't care--I love it.
What pressure relief springs should I use? From what I understand, red is slightly better than stock (towing I assume) and the orange is for competition. This isn't a track car, it's a daily driver with some pep to it. I don't mind if the full throttle shifts are "harsh", but part throttle I want to be quick, crisp, and firm. Everything I've researched leads me to believe that I should go with the red spring. If I don't like it, I can always swap it out I suppose...
Shift Kits are great They make a car feel more :racey" and the trans last to last longer. All my automatic cars has had them.
I have always done the Transgo 2004R kit in full firm mode. The only really noticeable shift was the positive downshift to first. I believe full firm is what you want, I believe people most use the the full firm the TH350 especially if you up the stall eventually. Transgo aren't as harsh as the B+M kit. I could not believe the difference going from the stock 1970 governor, it didn't seem to be binding, to a 1981 TH250C governor with the B+M weights. They wouldn't work on the 70 governor. I went from shift kit like shifts to stock super soft shifts. Crazy and who would have thought it was the governor.
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