Shift kits?

[RangRayy]

I used the search button and "shift" was searched but "kit" was too common to bring anything up. Nothing conclusive on what kits people are using if they have installed one. Or if in our heavy trucks are they worth installing?

I watched the TransGo video install in aTH350 on YouTube from 1978 install and seems pretty straight foreword.

Parts house locally can have the B&M kits, 4 different ones they can get, within a day. I looked them over with a google search to see where their reviews were and I have narrowed it down to BM20260 and BM30228. Difference of only about $40 and I don't have to wait three plus days for shipping.

Is there anything better out there for a TH350?

 

[74 Shortbed]

I won't use anything but Transgo, they are a tad more expensive but they are also a reprogramming kit, although you can get plain shift kits from them.

 

[RangRayy]

I won't use anything but Transgo, they are a tad more expensive but they are also a reprogramming kit, although you can get plain shift kits from them.

What do you mean reprogramming kit?

 

[Old77]

I've been running a B&M kit in mine for years and been happy. I don't remember what model kit it is, though. I've heard good things from TransGo as well aside from @74 Shortbed 's endorsement

 

[RangRayy]

I've been running a B&M kit in mine for years and been happy. I don't remember what model kit it is, though. I've heard good things from TransGo as well aside from @74 Shortbed 's endorsement

Does it chirp the tires on evey shift? I see most kits come with 2 settings towing or street/strip. Both seem to quicken the shifts but seems one hits harder than the other.

 

[Old77]

Does it chirp the tires on evey shift? I see most kits come with 2 settings towing or street/strip. Both seem to quicken the shifts but seems one hits harder than the other.

Not every shift but if I get on it it'll chirp the tires between 1st and 2nd. With that said, I don't race the truck so it's possible I don't stay on it hard enough by the time it gets to 3rd for the tires to chirp LOL

 

[RangRayy]

Perfect. I don't plan on racing "JW" but it'd be nice if someone's being a jerk at a light to be able to take off and be able to keep up and keep people from cutting me off. I've got an adjustable modulator coming so that should help with shifts too.

 

[74 Shortbed]

I've been running a B&M kit in mine for years and been happy. I don't remember what model kit it is, though. I've heard good things from TransGo as well aside from @74 Shortbed 's endorsement

I tried 4 B&M's on 400's and 350's and a C-6 and all the same they were crappy, that's when I switched to Transgo 30yrs ago, maybe they're improved now I don't know..

 

[Old77]

I tried 4 B&M's on 400's and 350's and a C-6 and all the same they were crappy, that's when I switched to Transgo 30yrs ago, maybe they're improved now I don't know..

Yeah, I can't speak for 30 years ago. LOL when I say I've been running mine "for years" I'm talking around 12 years or so.

 

[74 Shortbed]

What do you mean reprogramming kit?

GM trannys have a safety in them, you can not over rev the motor in 1st and 2nd they will go into the next gear, same as downshifting, it will not downshift until a certain speed/rpm, the reprogramming kit changes all that, it will stay in any gear no matter what speed or rpm, if you put it in low it will stay there until you shift it same with 2nd, also you can downshift all the way to 1st gear at any speed/rpm, at the same time you have normal shifting in drive. The -2 kit will have a nice firm shift under easy throttle but the harder you get on it the harder it shifts and will break the tires loose under full throttle.

 

[74 Shortbed]

Yeah, I can't speak for 30 years ago. LOL when I say I've been running mine "for years" I'm talking around 12 years or so.

Well, like I said never tried one since, they could very well be improved by now..

 

[SkinnyG]

The B&M kit for the TH350 does things to make the shifts harsh, which can break parts. If you want to use it, leave all the check balls in, drill the 2nd feed hole 0.140 and the 3rd feed hole 0.150, DON'T disable the 2nd accumulator.

The TransGo kit has a wack of other mods done to the separator plate to get more fluid where it needs to go to improve transmission life and reduce weak spots. 2nd hole is already 0.140, but 3rd is still stock (I drilled mine out). The TransGo kit also has different springs to change shifts and line pressure, as well as the ability to allow downshifts at any speed.

Trans shop I got all my parts from will not install B&M kits in anything.

I've used both. Research the B&M kit - it's an eye opener.

 

[Old77]

Well, like I said never tried one since, they could very well be improved by now..

It's all good, sir I'm sure Ryan appreciates all of the good information he can get. I'd never heard of this reprogramming kit either. That's pretty cool

 

[Old77]

Trans shop I got all my parts from will not install B&M kits in anything.

Wow....really? Have I just gotten lucky with my kit?

 

[74 Shortbed]

It's all good, sir I'm sure Ryan appreciates all of the good information he can get. I'd never heard of this reprogramming kit either. That's pretty cool

Yep, it is nice to have full control, also the -1 kit gives you firm shifts but not tire chirping ***** at full throttle if you don't care for that.