transgo shift kit

[DPKetchum]

Hi guy's,I'm looking to install a rv/tow shift kit in my valve body by transgo. Have any of you folks installed your own?I called a few trans shops here in Athen's Georgia and got answers like WE don't do valve body's to it's all electronic and you can't install one!Which it isn'nt,or its $400. 00 or it's $175. 00 and don't worry about instructions cause BUBBA been here 4 month's now!Real scary about the answers I got from the few who said they would. Thought about just doing it myself but wanted some feed back. It's a $85. 00 kit that only the valve body comes down and opened up. Any suggestions. And no I don't want to put a mega dollar valve body in it.

 

[Philip]

I have used Transgo kits before. I have not done a 518 trans. But I have done quite a few 727's. It isn't that hard to do. Follow the instructions closely. The main concern is to keep every thing clean. One spec of dirt in the wrong place and you will have problems.



$85 for the kit sounds a little high to me.

 

[fox]

$85 is about right, and go ahead and do it.

What problems are you wanting to fix??

I ask because I do a modifed kit install. The reason is that I do not beleive in drilling HOLES in the valvebody.

The real benefit is the increase in line pressure. It alone will improve the shift quality and give you more life to a good trans. It will not fix anything that is leaking or worn out.

You can increase the holesize in the sep plate a little. If you have a tight converter and drill those holes out as per the instuctions you may not like the hard shift.

 

[DPKetchum]

Hi,not trying to fix anything,it works fine,I tow 9600lbs most of the time. Has a tci tow convertor in it now. Trans has been serviced and flushed regulary over last 6 years I've owned it. Has 110,000 miles on it. Just ordered a set of indus. injectors. H. P. rating is between PW's and POD's and thought I'd update trans some and service it at sam time. A transgo kit was suggested from several people. Not wanting to do DTT type stuff to it. Just some mild mod's. The answer I got from several trans shops was crazy,I would'nt use them for a turbo 350. The 518/618 trans is a 727 with o/d and non lockup convertor.

 

[fox]

Ok, I'd suggest checking the line pressure which is read at the accumulator port. It is at the right side center tap. Stock it will be about 50 lbs. and it is nice to get it up 8-10 more.

BTW, drilling holes in the valvebody has caused me to have a drain back problem. This is also called morning sickness.

 

[dodgenstein]

dpketchum



I noticed you have a TCI convertor. How long have you run it?I recently ordered one from Summit Racing and am looking for info on what to expect. How is stall speed compared to stock?Did it seem to lower your highway RPM?Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[DPKetchum]

I was two states away and flex plate shattered. While the dealer their had it I had the tci convertor dropped shipped to them. Ordered threw Jeg's. Got no spec sheet etc. Jeg's could'nt tell me the excact differances between stock and tci. I just found TCI on the web and e/mailed their tech. assistance for specs. Be curious how it's replied. Anyhow I can say it's differant. Truck will creep along at 7/8 mph now where before not at all. Fuel mileage towing is up 3/4 to 1 mpg maybe a little more. Think trans is a little more crisp. At the time did'nt know about tdr etc. was my only souce for a convertor. It also was cheaper then a stock one. Only put it in because trans was out for flex plate and adapter plate to be replaced and it was waiting parts. Old convertor was always lazy. It does drive and tow better. Don't have a tach. Am curious to how much drop in hiway rpm. It was slight,but could tell some.

 

[DPKetchum]

Fox I Pm you.

 

[DPKetchum]

Well tci tech info already got back to me,that was fast,just a hour or so!Their reply was the high torque towing convertor is tighter then stock stall,which means we too the stator changed the fin angle for better efficiency,less slippage and better transfer of power at low speeds. What this does is give you better low end power w/less heat buildup. Lower engine rpm's(usually by 200 or so)and better mileage. Quoted from what they e/mailed me. Now back the shift kit!

 

[bigkid59]

I have been running the TCI convertor and the Transgo kit for a couple of years now. You mentioned noticing a real difference in the truck with the convertor change. When you install the Transgo kit you will notice another worthwhile improvement.

I have known Bill Taylor, the founder of TCI, for years but never used any of their products before this convertor. A neighbor of mine was the shop foreman at TCI for years and recommended this convertor when my stock convertor developed a crack in the front hub weld. The crack was leaking and was too close to the thrust bearing for me to TIG weld it up. I immediately noticed a lot lower stall speed, even to the point of hurting off idle performance, a problem I cured with a simple injection pump adjustment.

The installation of the Transgo kit really made a lot of difference in shift quality. I am very happy with the results of the convertor change and kit installation.

Be sure that you get the TFOD kit. There is another kit, one sometimes referred to as the "Junior" kit, that you do not want. I recommend installing the kit in its complete form just as the instructions call for. I am going to be pulling my transmission soon to replace the front seal and will be checking line pressures before I do pull it and will be adjusting them while doing the other work.

Good Luck!!!

 

[hdm48]

Please read the reply I made to Copterdoc about his band adjustments.



--dave--

 

[therabbittree]

ok i have a B&M shift kit for the 727 i have . . only problem is the kit says up to year 1979. . my truck is a 1989 i don't think it is a problem. . but the guys at the parts store supposedly couldn't find a shift kit for my year 727 ... this B&M kit didn't include the transmission filter which i thought was weird (I bought one any how), and it requires drilling the separator plate to set it up as the street &strip settings. . and says it now need stype f ford fluid. . i have used that in othe built trannys and its nice . . just figure i'd get some input from guys who have done it to your 727. .

thanks

Deo

 

[DPKetchum]

Ok Guy's not to start any trans war but I called Transgo tech. dept today. Sales said I needed the tfod kit,TECH support said NO. This guy sounded at least really trans smart. He explained the the major kit compared to the junior kit was not really needed for a non-lockup overdrive transmission. Said about half the steps in the major kit was for improving TC lockup. THe junior kit fits the bill for non lockup autos. He stressed that anyone installing their kit to call them first and go over instructions. He stressed not to make it shift like a drag car,said that these beasts weigh twice as much and instead of lurching foward and barking the tires it WILL BREAK SOMETHING!Said biggest improvement to a 727 with or without OD was a better torque convertor,a cooler and synthetic fliud with 2 to 4 qts of 0w30 or 5w30 synthetic motor oil!Said the motor oil increases boiling point and is a crush cushion for gear to gear mainly in OD unit where most of the trucks are driven. He said the junior kit was to improve a couple of weak areas and make it run somewhat cooler. He also said that with high diesel torque(way above stock)that more of the major kit would be used but also with billet shafts etc.