Valve body VS shift kit question and transmission temp

[JEstes]

I've got a question about some upgrades to my transmission. I'm planning on doing some mods to help this thing tow a little better. Specifically, I need something to help the transmission in hot, stop and go traffic with a 10,000 pound boat behind it. I know it will probably be fine stock, but I like overkill. There is the possibility of a little more weight behind it. Here are my questions:



1. What is the difference between a Goerend (or anybody else's) valve body and a shift kit?



2. I'm planning on putting a transmission temp guage in soon. My question is, what should I look for to make sure the auto isn't slipping? It seems to me that transmission temp might not be a reliable indicator since the TC will heat the fluid anyway before it locks. I'm not new to towing by any means, but I've never towed anything this heavy with an auto.

 

[JEstes]

Anybody? (bump)

 

[DGrimes]

I would think that a shift kit would fine. What you want to do is stop the trans from slipping between shifts. Shift kit will make the trans shift firmer and reduce the heat build up associated with stock transmissions shift. any thing you can do to drop the trans temp is the way to go. I would also add a extra cooler. I had a chevy crew cab one ton dually 454 turbo 400 4:10 rear gear, towed a 24 ft car trailer, had tool boxes, spare motors, spare trans for my race car. Before I added anything to the tow rig, I lost the trans on the Tapanzee bridge, took out the high gear clutch pack out. The side of the road isn't a good place to rebuild a trans. at 400 degrees the trans will not live long. I added a shift kit put in the hurst <firm> shift option, added a extra deep pan, extra cooler and a temp guage. Never had a problem after that.

 

[CarlsonR]

I would say the shifting part is the least of your heat related issue. The way to loose converter the factory puts in is the big issue. You might talk with goerend about what you want to solve and let him give you some advise.

 

[JEstes]

Yeah, I know calling Goerend would probably be the best thing, but they seem like they are a little hard to get in touch with. That's fine since I know they are probably pretty busy. I just thought I'd get some opinions first. Thanks!

 

[mr.wilson]

Not that I pull any thing that heavy but I added a BD valve body to my 48RE and seems to be a much different truck when pulling, better shifting, up and down, a few less RPM when out on the HWY, and I even think I might have picked up an extra . 5 MPG during regular driving. Don't think it's just my imagination I hand calculate each tank of fuel. OF course I gave it all back when we switched over to ULSD. I think my next step is an aftermarket TC.

Hope that helps.

 

[JEstes]

It does help. Thanks! I'm not trying to cut corners or anything, but if I can save a few hundred and get the same result, I'll do it. Did you install your own valve body, or have a shop do it?