quick question about shift kit..

tmkester · Mar 29, 2012

i have to pull my trans out eventually to fix a rear main seal leak and while the trans is out i was looking at putting a shift kit in it, seems cheap and easy. With that being said, what kind of difference does a shift kit make, would it be worth it.. and it also says it prolongs the life of the trans how true is that? thank you

Moon · Mar 30, 2012

tmkester said:
i have to pull my trans out eventually to fix a rear main seal leak and while the trans is out i was looking at putting a shift kit in it, seems cheap and easy. With that being said, what kind of difference does a shift kit make, would it be worth it.. and it also says it prolongs the life of the trans how true is that? thank you

From what I've read, it prolongs the life by shortening the shift time (in which the trans is essentially in two gears at the same time, which is bad). Having said that, it should be a little quicker and/or more fun to drive. I've read that shift kits are installed where the valve body is, which can be accessed by jacking the car up. Lastly, most programmers nowadays should be able to change shift points in the computer, so you may not need a shift kit in the first case.

Either way, I plan on picking up a B&M shift kit as soon as I'm not a broke ass.

007 · Mar 30, 2012

I have a transgo. It made the shifts much quicker, more solid. These days tuners do a good job by adjusting the shift pressure. If you arent happy with what you got from the tuner, then do a shift kit too.

The biggest improvement to the auto trans performance is the improved shift pattern in the SF3 tune. The biggest improvement to the trans longevity is a trans cooler.

tmkester · Mar 30, 2012

im a broke ass too so im just looking for things that will help that are on the cheap side, i already have a tuner so ill just try to get a tune with better shift points.

san~man · Mar 30, 2012

Jmod

/thread

nyuk98gt · Mar 31, 2012

tmkester:

To add a little to the excellent advice given by "san-man", please go to TCCoA.com/Tech Articles/Transmissions and read "Transmissions 101" by Jerry Wroblewski (former Ford Transmission Engineer). If you read the "Shift Kits" articles, please note that they are a bit out of date. Also, read the two how-to articles by "A-Train". Learn those three documents well and then do the work.

The J-mod is not 100% free but it won't cost you much - you just need fresh ATF, a couple of gaskets, maybe a couple of accumulators and springs (depending upon the year of your car), and some patience.

Now, go git 'er done.

Chris

usaf_branham · Mar 31, 2012

why install a shift kit when you can j-mod it?

Mary brown · Mar 31, 2012

That is a great site! I saw the information is very usefule!

Deleted member 38176 · Apr 1, 2012

Shift kits are a thing of the past. Modern handheld tuners can do the same thing for free.

nyuk98gt · Apr 1, 2012

Nightfire:

Handheld tuners do not address hydraulic improvements. The (centrifugal) pump only puts out so much flow for a given pressure so if the pressure is increased then there is less flow. This will improve flow to one area but there is less oil flow to another part of the transmssion. If, however, the holes in the separator plate are opened up then the pressure drop is reduced (so the discharge pressure of the pump does not need to be increased) and more fluid can flow to all parts. Improving the hydraulics makes the shifts quicker (faster) and reduces fheat build-up due to friction so the clutches last longer. So, imho, it is premature to say that shift kits are no longer needed. No flame intended, just presenting an argument why improving hydraulics needs to be done in parallel with tuning if one is to see the maximum benefits.

Chris

tmkester · Apr 1, 2012

thanks for all that info man, very helpful

nyuk98gt · Apr 1, 2012

tmkester:

You're welcome. I tend to get a little nerderiffic when typing up stuff about automatics.

Now, go read Transmissions 101 and the A-Train how-to's and then report back with your plans.

Chris

bmanrocks01 · Apr 1, 2012

I just got my shift kit in the mail from american muscle. i think it was 80 bucks? i have a programmer so i will prob run without it first, then see if there is a change.

tmkester · Apr 3, 2012

i think im going to just call bama and get a new tune with some firmer shift points, then by the time i pull out the trans i will have enough $$ to blow on the shift kit, whats the worst that can happen right? and bmanrocks01, reply if you can about how it does with the tune and shift kit.... im about to just switch it to a 5spd

sneaky98gt · Apr 3, 2012

In the words of San-Man

"J-mod.

</thread>"

san~man · Apr 4, 2012

With the Jmod and the PI torque converter, the shifts were smoother, faster and harder (when needed) than stock. Driveability improved greatly over stock, and sometimes you couldn't even tell it was shifting (low speeds).

However, when you mashed the gas, shifts were hard (in a good way) and much faster. I could chirp the 2/3 shift if I felt like it.

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