Choice #1 B&M Shift improver kit for $29.
OR
Choice #2 B&M transpak for $54.
The 3rd choice could be B&M transkit but that sounds like you have to take the tranny down and rebuild it, and its $199.
Has anyone used ether of these and what’s the real difference is there less HP loss w/one or the other. They say the transpak rerouting fluid through the valve body letting you manual shift and hold gears. But I could do that kinda w/the stock AOD and floor shifter.
I think the one I'm planning on getting is the second one you have listed... I'll probably pair it with a B&M Tork Master 2000 stall convertor. It runs about $156. I think Tom on here has used one and said it worked really well.
I have used the transpak...no HP loss...and it definitely does NOT let you manually hold gears...you put the shifter in 2nd and it will start in 1st and work up to 3rd as you drive. It helped a lot of problems I was having....I still need a Lentech Strip Terminator w/Lock-up though...lol.
Looks like the Transkit is indeed a kit with some overhaul pieces. They don't have one listed for the AOD on the B&M website. Only C4 and C6 are available as far as Ford applications go. I'd go with the Transpak over the shift improvement kit. Ifixyawata, the stock AOD stall convertor is 16-1800 rpm's. If you plan on doing anything more than the stock cam you might want to consider something a little looser than 2000.
OK I’m really leaning towards the tranpak. So how is it to install (cut and dry on jack stands in my driveway). I’m pretty good but I don’t know diddally about transmissions. Other than dropping the pan and servicing it. Never dug into the valve body.
dont choose any of the use the transgo kits its better than all the b&m kits
Paul, the cam I'm gonna use is a non-roller but the profile is very similar to that of an HO cam from a mustang, etc.
i would say. a trans pack. but you will need a trans cooler. even more so with a converter. more slipage = heat. auto trannies dont like heat to much thats what fried my trans go aod. (not enogh fan/radiator and no extra cooler. )
good luck
Listen to this man.
TransGo or Baumann Engineering kits are both excellent and very affordable. Last check of TransGo was in the $110 neighborhood. Not knocking B&M but I've had a lot of baaaaaadddddd reports about their lower-end offerings.
An auxiliary cooler would also be wise.
Ok also got off the phone w/ summit and he stated the same, transgo just deals w/ valve bodies and they do it really well. B&M is good but the could be hit or miss dealing w/a big company.
I also noticed trango is $119.39, compared to B&M transpak for $53.95. Maybe price makes a difference.
The TransGo kit comes with an installation videotape...I'm sure that has something to do with the price, but it's really nice to have. The components are top quality.
The Baumann kit still lists for $59.95:
http://www.becontrols.com/pricing.htm
I have used both before and have had really good results with both. The TransGo kit took my current Mark VII AOD in the convertible from mushy to really snappy. The Baumann kit was in my old '86 and it extended the life a lot longer.
the trans go kits was absolutely awesome my bird with 410 gears used to chirp second and third with the stock aod! An the kits comes wityh the extra high rev springs when you put in a bigger convertor ! definitely worth the extra 60 buck over b&m.. sorry have heard many horror stories with them! we all know that these trannys are not the best ever built in the first place
As I stated earlier out of the 2 kits I'd choose the Transpak. As for my own car, the TransGo kit has been in for almost 8 years and has been a great addition to my transmission. I still have the tape if you want to borrow it before you make your decision. Just lemme know and I'll drop it off.
I should get a shift kit........ Oh wait! I dont need one!
Dont mean to hijack but what is everyones opinions on how the shift kits will effect the tranny life. I would really like to put one in my sport but my Brother-in-law thinks i should just leave it be because he had to change the tranny about 6 times to finally get one that worked and he thinks the shift kit will ruin the trans. I dont really think it would hurt it but i respect his opinion and i dont want to have to replace it.
This is what I heard so guys please correct me if im wrong. A shift kit will extent your trannys life because every automatic tranny out there when it shifts from one gear to another it actually hold both gears for a moment which results in smother gear changing. Though while both gears are simultaneously together there is wear between the clutch’s. Now what a shift kit dose is immediately drop a gear and grab the next one which results in crisper gear changing and less wear inside the tranny. Now the problem; if your always hard on your car the harder shifting will result excessive wear on you rear and, some say vibrate your car lose example.. (Dashboard and interior losing.) lol.
Get the Transgo, its tried and true and I think that extra $50 is worth not burning up your trans. You wont be dissappointed.
That is basically correct... The quicker(not necessarly harder)the shift from one gear to the next the less wear there is to the clutches and/or bands... Hard shifts can cause drive line problems if its not beefy enough to take it.. As far as the dashboard shaking loose.... I have my doubts about that one...
I've been pounding on a stock Super Coupe AOD with a Trans Go kit for over six years... She's taking a licking and is still tickin'..
I had a TransGo Kit installed in my 177K mile AOD and it works well, first with the 3.8L V6 and now with a mild 5.0 H.O. conversion. The shifts are "chrip crisp" and the shifts are 5500 RPMs into 2nd, 5200 RPM's into high. My only complaint is it won't stay in third, as it will upshift to OD at 4400 RPM's ( just at the first timing light) in the 1/4 mile, killing my MPH. I do not drive on the street, but figure if you don't flog it too much it should work fine. Remember my trans has V6 guts in it, I.E. less clutches and plates. If it holds my combo, and it does, it is a good mod IMHO. Anyway, any shift kit is better than none, for reliablity. Fred
Pull the TV valve back as far as it will possibly go. Should help some. I would recommend this for track only. On the street leave it so 4th gear comes somewhere around 45-48 with very light throttle.
Hmm I've wanted to put a TransGo shift kit in my AOD for a few years now but I'm a little leary of it. My AOD has 126,000 miles on it and I'm worried that I'll kill it. It works ok now but I'm not sure if the shift kit would hurt it. So do I have nothing to fear and should I just go for it or I'm I right in not wanting to put a shift kit in a 126,000 mile AOD?
Something tells me that as clean as your car was when you got it that your AOD wasn't abused. Go for it.
Paul, Thanks for the tip, I'll try it. When I adjust it towards the trans (to the rear), the shift points go to higher RPM's.
Thunderjet, IMO the shift kit will help with reliability in a working older transmission. It will change the timing of shifts so that no slippage occurs, and this is good. I would not change the governor weights, too radically, as this raises the shift points, but the basic kit should be good for your trans. Mine had 177K miles on it and was in good condition but still beniifited from the mod. Good luck, Fred
Out of the shift kits that have been named I haven't heard anyone say anything about PA performance shift kits. Latemodel Restoration sells them for $44. Anyone heard good or bad about them?
I have a question, how do you tell if a car has a shift kit on it and what does the shift kit do?
Hmm I've got a new one. I've been going through the reciepts for work done on the car (I have a reciept for everything done to the car from 1988 till now) and I found something interesting. The car had regular fluid and filter changes but something odd happened in 2000. The car apparently had the torque converter fail and a new one was put in. Same as stock just a new one. Now since the torque converter was replaced should I be worried about putting a TransGo shift kit in or not?
I wouldnt have a problem with it. The way I see it, no matter what shape the tranny is in now, it will only make it last longer. I say go for it.
I think I might give it a shot. I just hope it doesn't spill it's guts as I'm driving:rolleyes: