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View Full Version : Tranny shift kits, again.


HooperSSII
08-31-2001, 11:37 AM
Been talking to TSM1 about this already this morning and thought I would get a little more input.

TF 727

I rebuilt my tranny a few months ago, everything but the valve body. I let a shop do that.

It runs great, after I rebuilt it a couple times. <g>

Only problem is that when it gets warm, (not hot, but warmer than normal operating temps) I get a delayed shift into drive from neutral. I have to give it an extra 500 or so of RPM, then it goes into gear nice and solid.

My local tranny shop that did my valve body tells me that a shift kit will not address this problem. The shift kits do a couple things. One is give you instant manual control over what gear you are in (want 1st gear doing 60 down the freeway, here you go) second is they charge the converter in park. This lets you check your fluid levels with the truck in park,instead of having to be in neutral. It also means that while you are sitting in your driveway letting your engine warm up, the tranny is pumping your converter up at the same time, so when you shift into reverse or drive, you have full pressure in the converter, and don't get the morning sluggishness. The third thing the shift kits do is reduce the gear overlap period. This reduces band and clutch friction and lowers tranny operating temperatures in situations where the tranny is shifting a lot.

None of these things apply to my situation. I don't tow much at all, I let my truck warm up in neutral in the morning, and when on the trails, I stick to one gear, seldom shifting around.

Shop suggested I drop my valve body and remove the valve body check valve for the forward clutch pack. That check valve partially blocks the fluid flow to the forward clutch, giving you slower, softer engagement. Removing that ball will speed my forward engagement and should eliminate my problem.

He also suggested I get another tranny cooler. I have one, I will be adding a second in series.

What do you think?

Brandonw
08-31-2001, 11:47 AM
Originally posted by Hooper:
<STRONG>
Only problem is that when it gets warm, (not hot, but warmer than normal operating temps) I get a delayed shift into drive from neutral. I have to give it an extra 500 or so of RPM, then it goes into gear nice and solid.</STRONG>


Do you have a shift kit in it already? I've heard of that problem before when shift kits are installed, mainly only when using B&M kits though. Idon't have any experience with shift kits personally so I could jusyt be talking out of my a*$.

If you are running a kit what kind is it and would you recomend it? I've been thinking of putting one in my rebuilt 727 thats siting in my garage.
Brandon

HooperSSII
08-31-2001, 11:50 AM
Originally posted by AzScout:
<STRONG>
Do you have a shift kit in it already? I've heard of that problem before when shift kits are installed, mainly only when using B&M kits though. Idon't have any experience with shift kits personally so I could jusyt be talking out of my a*$.

If you are running a kit what kind is it and would you recomend it? I've been thinking of putting one in my rebuilt 727 thats siting in my garage.
Brandon</STRONG>

Nope, no shift kit right now.

It sounds like the shift kits are only really an advantage if you are racing or towing a lot. Otherwise, the benefits are marginal for all the trouble of draining the tranny, dropping the pan, dropping the valve body, then putting it all back together again so it does not leak.

Maybe if I was servicing my tranny already, changing the filter, gasket, etc, I would consider it, but unless I find out it is going to fix my condition, I am not going to put one in, unless it is free <g>

patrick