transgo kit

[RobertMiller1]

I'm looking for the Transgo kit installation instructions. I've misplaced mine, and I need to review them. I'm needing info on the throttle kickdown adjustment/spring selection.



I have seen them somewhere on the net before.

 

[y-knot]

Good luck with that kit, I have not heard one person that was happy with that kit. I had used them on cars way back when, but never on a truck or diesel.

 

[RobertMiller1]

I like it very much.

I can see how you could easily screw one up.

l've installed them before, and understand the 727 fairly well, from my 74 'cuda days.



It actually fixes a lot of weaknesses in the torqueflite.



I'm wanting to double check TV/kickdown lever adjustments. Not quite kicking down into second soon enough for my tastes.







robt

 

[B KIRK]

I like mine also. It may take a couple of tries to get it just right, (especially with 37" tires and 3:54 gears at the time) but I haven't had any troubles at all. I tow a 25K tri-axle equipment trailer with some heavy machinery.

Robt, sent you a PM.



Brad

 

[RobertMiller1]

3. 54 gears with 37" tires? and pull a 25k trailer? How on earth do you do it?



I do like the rpm range on the 3. 54 for cruising. but I am running 265 tires. I was thinking of running 33" max without fender triming or lifting i believe. Would love to run 35's and 3. 73 gears.



I pulled a 32' goosneck with my son's wrecked ram 3500 cummins from Illinois. on I44 thru ozarks. Some big grades there.



I kept her in 3rd all the way home, doing 55 to 60. Just didn't want to risk burning up my OD. I need to discover what the lubrication mods are to improve OD oiling which I hear is a weak spot. Maybe running 1 or 2 qts. of 10w30 synth motor oil is the answer.



Rather open up an orifice for oiling if that is an option.



I am also ruminating over installing the low 2. 74 first gear that was available on some torqueflites.

 

[RobertMiller1]

Transgo ideal setup?

I tell you, I may have hit upon an ideal setup for my dodge.



I installed the transgo 518-TFOD KIT.



I also opened up the 1-2 and 2-3 orfice for firmer shifts.



I also opened up hole for line pressure. BUT COMPROMISED since I had stock seals, I did not open to the largest diameter, went 50% of max as I recall.



I am currently running Valvoline Maxlife trans fluid. Mercon/dexron. It works very well, but does have a firm shift, that may be too firm for this heavy a truck. Would not think a minute of it in my old 3400lb cuda. But my Dodge is twice that. Doubt that the transmission would be harmed, may result in shorter ujoint lifespan.



I also tried it with Amsoil Universal, and this fluid being more slippery with this transgo tuning level seems ideal.



shifts are lightening fast (1-2 of course being the best) and finger snap fast, but smooth, no thunk.



2-3 is softer than i like, not as quick. I will be spending tuning time with it. This is where that front band has to engage, front clutch pack engage, and rear band (rev-1st) release. Always 727 weak point. Hard to get perfect. It is 80% quicker than before.



To summarize, the transgo kit, with shift orifices opened and Amsoil gives an almost perfect shift.

 

[mike r]

I agree with you on the shifts and did nearly the same as you had done but opened all the orfices up all the way since I totally rebuilt mine. Doesn't slip at all and shifts fine. The directions on the band adjustments aren't entirely correct though and the 2. 74 1st gear doesn't fit this transmission. Mike

 

[RobertMiller1]

well do you mean the A618 47re version of this transmission? There has been a 2. 74 1st gear in this transmission (torqueflite) in the past.

 

[fox]

Just to give a correction, the 2-3 shift is when the front band releases/front clutch engages. This is the critical overlap that most have trouble getting right.

The rear band only is used for reverse and MANUAL low.



Also better ask the seller if the low gear set is strong enough for the Cummins.

Usually they sell this lower ratio planetary for under powered vehicles, I don't think it will help our trucks.

And last, the OD lube system was fixed before your 01 truck was built. I can support the Mobil 1 motor oil as a trans fluid. I have used it for the wifes Grand Cherrokee for 75,000 miles. Shift slugishly when it is cold - below freezing- comes out of it when you have some temp in it. Try just 4-5 quarts. I have not run it over 50%.

All the work involved will justify an aftermarket VB!! And you will get a better shift with the aftermarket one!!

 

[y-knot]

Very glad to hear that you and others like you injoy the kit.

 

[RobertMiller1]

What I get for going by memory. I should know better.



the gear set was with other, and possibly weaker planetary gear sets. a 2. 74 1st would be very desirable. It was used in some weak 904s. but also in some 727s. Trying to determine what applications now. Probably none with 5 pinion planetary.



interesting parts at:



http://www.turboaction.com/c4.html



and http://www.apsprecision.com/Accessories.html



http://www.apsprecision.com/Accessories.html



has a 6 pinion helical planetary mass for the 47re. (wonder if this is just the 48re part)



Just trying to line up the best parts I would colnsider rebuilding a 47re with.

 

[RobertMiller1]

fox, 4 to 5 qts. is like half... I was on DTTs web site. 100% 30 weight motor oil was being tried. Looked real good by Bill Kondolay <sp>

but later he abandoned it. seems it was great for gears, but the bands suffered.



Fox, what kind of fluid are you using?