Installing Transgo soon, need some pointers!!

Kdubslugga

Active Member
Jun 7, 2003
1,515
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Akron, OH
Im getting ready to install the Transgo shift kit in my 88 GT, just wanted to know what some of you thought of the install. The kit i bought from summit comes with a tape, and it seems pretty straight forward but im so scared of screwing something up. So i just wanted to know if you guys have any pointers, ive watched the tape like 10 times already "lol".
 
The tape is very thorough. Just follow it exactly and you should be okay. I just did a transgo and it wasn't hard at all. Just remember to cover each hole in the valve body when you remove the retaining clips so things don't go flying everywhere. You might also want to update your valve body with a high pressure boost valve to give you better line presssure and maybe a new throttle valve plug.
 
I got my transgo kit off ebay so I didnt even get the video. I just scratched my head, read the instructions and started drilling. They give you the drill bits you need so there is no guesswork. One tip: do this somewhere clean so you can actually find the little springs and checkballs when they go flying out. Tip2: make sure the bores are clean...spin the valves a turn or two in steel wool so they are ultra smooth. Push the valves a bit with a screwdriver to make sure they are not binding. Torque the VB to spec or you will squish the valvebody and everything will bind. Make sure you dont accidentally leave an old spring wedged into the bore (the 2-3 spring likes to hide up in the bore).
 
Don't put the new 3-4 valve in unless you really feel a need for full throttle in overdrive which is never a good idea. Last time I put the TransGo 3-4 valve in it would shift into overdrive at full throttle even if it was in the D position and not the OD. Not something you want it to do.
 
On a side note, this doesn't have to do anything with the shift kit, go ahead and get yourself a drainplug kit for the trans pan while you have it off. It will make life much easier in the future.
 
gork1rogues said:
Don't put the new 3-4 valve in unless you really feel a need for full throttle in overdrive which is never a good idea. Last time I put the TransGo 3-4 valve in it would shift into overdrive at full throttle even if it was in the D position and not the OD. Not something you want it to do.
Why wuold you not want to take advantage of the full throttle shift in to overdrive, to me it seems like utilizing all the gears to the fullest? 4 gears intead of 3?
 
So I just purchased the TransGo kit and having my trans mechanic install it soon. I should tell him to leav out the 3-4 valve? Anything else he needs to know just in case. I heard somthing about a blue spring should be used to get harder shifts. Then he asked me how hard do I want it to shift because there me be different settings, street, strip, all out race? Is that correct?
 
Tell him to install all the agressive settings. Dont worry, it's not bad. In cruise, just driving around, it wont slam gears or do anything disconcerting at those settings.

The OD shift at WOT, I cringe cause I can feel the motor go from powerhousing to lugging instantly. I can feel the hit from the seat. That poor OD band needs to apbsorb nearly a 1000 rpm drop under full load. Terrible. Why the hell did they put that feature in in the first place? Who in their right mind would use it?

I have _4.56_ gears, man, and I _can_ accelerate in OD but I can feel how awful it is on the transmission. I'm gonna see if transgo is answering the phone right now and ask them how to delete this feature. Good thing I have an extra VB lying around.
 
Official word from transgo (dont know why I waited this long to make the call, I'm such a lazy fool) is:

go ahead and reinstall the original 3-4 valve with original springs to delete WOT OD feature.

So for our friend, keep the 3-4 valve in place (or dont say you werent warned ;) )

Have fun!
 
crazypete said:
Tell him to install all the agressive settings. Dont worry, it's not bad. In cruise, just driving around, it wont slam gears or do anything disconcerting at those settings.

The OD shift at WOT, I cringe cause I can feel the motor go from powerhousing to lugging instantly. I can feel the hit from the seat. That poor OD band needs to apbsorb nearly a 1000 rpm drop under full load. Terrible. Why the hell did they put that feature in in the first place? Who in their right mind would use it?

I have _4.56_ gears, man, and I _can_ accelerate in OD but I can feel how awful it is on the transmission. I'm gonna see if transgo is answering the phone right now and ask them how to delete this feature. Good thing I have an extra VB lying around.
Thanks
 
I wouldnt say that its exactly easy, but as long as you watch the video and take your time its not that hard. Just remember to get a tranny filter. My kit made driving totally different.
1991 Mustang GT​