Matt69olds
Full Access Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2018
- Posts
- 2,451
- Reaction score
- 3,819
- Location
- Central Indiana
- First Name
- Matt
- Truck Year
- 81
- Truck Model
- GMC 1/2 ton
- Engine Size
- 455 Olds
The ONLY time I will spend money on a shift kit for a 350 trans is if it’s still in the vehicle and in good working condition. As nick pointed out, it’s very easy to install a homemade shift kit during an overhaul with the things most gearheads have in their shop. The only advantage to a shift kit install with the transmission still in the vehicle is the ability to dual feed the direct clutches.
TransGo is very conservative on recommendations for drilling the spacer plate. Since they have no idea what the intended use will be, or other modifications, it’s far easier to drill a hole bigger than to make it smaller. If I remember correctly, TransGo recommends drilling the feed holes to .125 (1/8 inch) while B&M says to go .185 (3/16). B&M also instructs you to eliminate a few check balls. If you further compare the TransGo to the premium TransPak, you will find the instructions are identical other than check ball/hole sizes.
Many years ago I had a friend who bought a 79 Camaro with a stout 400 engine. That car had a ridiculously violent transmission. It would chirp tires regardless of throttle position, the only thing that changed was how much rubber it would leave on gear changes.
He broke a few intermediate roller clutches. After the 3rd direct drum swap I decided to figure out how to tame the shift. Turns out whoever manufactured the shift kit designed the spacer plate with no feed to the 1-2 accumulator, combined with 3/16 feed holes and the bare minimum check balls.
That transmission might have been ok with a really loose converter, or a race only application but was way to aggressive on the street.
TransGo is very conservative on recommendations for drilling the spacer plate. Since they have no idea what the intended use will be, or other modifications, it’s far easier to drill a hole bigger than to make it smaller. If I remember correctly, TransGo recommends drilling the feed holes to .125 (1/8 inch) while B&M says to go .185 (3/16). B&M also instructs you to eliminate a few check balls. If you further compare the TransGo to the premium TransPak, you will find the instructions are identical other than check ball/hole sizes.
Many years ago I had a friend who bought a 79 Camaro with a stout 400 engine. That car had a ridiculously violent transmission. It would chirp tires regardless of throttle position, the only thing that changed was how much rubber it would leave on gear changes.
He broke a few intermediate roller clutches. After the 3rd direct drum swap I decided to figure out how to tame the shift. Turns out whoever manufactured the shift kit designed the spacer plate with no feed to the 1-2 accumulator, combined with 3/16 feed holes and the bare minimum check balls.
That transmission might have been ok with a really loose converter, or a race only application but was way to aggressive on the street.