Transgo Shift Kit Modifications (This is it!)

[tactransman]

This is the kit basic Transgo Kit to start out with:

Do everything in the instructions plus the stuff that I added at the end:It will make this kit basically into a TF-2 performance kit.





Turn the pressure regulator spring adjustment 3 turns from flush with the retainer instead of as specified in the kit instructions.


Remove the 1-2 accumulator piston and block it solid with a 2.900 inch rod
I remove the cast iron rings and install the new rubber "D" rings for 0% leakage.I only install the rubber rings with a solid blocked piston.



For the firmest shifts possible,you will want to remove this wall in the valve body to connect the two passages.Leave the ball out next to the removed wall. You can use any piece of metal,drill a 3/16 hole in it ,position the hole over the wall shown and clamp the piece of metal to the valve body with a vice or c clamp vice grip.





Leave out this ball




Other things factor in for firm shifts beside the tranny,throttle linkage adjustment,rear end gear ratio is a BIG one,intermediate arm ratio is another.You want a 3.8 or a 4.2 arm ratio





2-3 shift feel:
If the direct clutch clearance is at the bottom or middle end of specs you will definitely need to orifice the direct clutch feed passage. If you don't know the clearance,figure on using an orifice.(cup plug with a 5/32 orifice hole)




This is the neat tool that comes in a Superior brand OD shift kit for notching the valve body edge like the Transgo instructions say.I bought one Superior kit for the tool and use it for the Transgo kit install.It's fast!




This is what the "notch" does,prevents a pressure build up in the drive position due to the added land on the special manual valve in the kit that would slightly drag  the reverse band.





Install 1/4 check ball in the spring shown(the one left out where the wall was removed for the firmest 1-2 shift will work perfect,just move it to here!)


Block this valve with a 1.500 inch 3/16 brake line or nail installed inside the spring (make sure that the end plate lays flat ,you might have to shorten the rod a little)


You HAVE to shim the rear servo solid to manual shift a torqueflite with out a 1-2 bind up.Use the correct thickness washers to make it solid,then reinstall the big spring and little snap ring.(try not to over stretch the little snap ring on R&R).


Have some tire chirping fun!

[tactransman]

If you want to get a little braver and do this step in the Transgo TF-2 here is the info. You don't need the gold plate they talk about in the instructions. Grinding the valve allows you to pull your car down into 1st at 70 MPH (or up shifts at 7500 RPM)

[GoodysGotaCuda]

What, if anything. Can easily be done in car with a TF-2 installed already. I do not recall adding a plug to the case, what does that do for you? Does it need to be drilled/tapped? I never did block my accumulator piston travel. Any down sides on trans life for doing that? I dont mind the teeth chattering shifts.

[EVIL72]

 Thanks Tactransman, that's some good info. 

[tactransman]

What, if anything. Can easily be done in car with a TF-2 installed already. I do not recall adding a plug to the case, what does that do for you? Does it need to be drilled/tapped? I never did block my accumulator piston travel. Any down sides on trans life for doing that? I dont mind the teeth chattering shifts.

Mike,if you already installed a TF-2 kit, it should of had the orifice cup plug with it.How does the 2-3 shift feel? is there any "bind up" at all? Not all trannies need the cup plug,but 80% do. It delays the direct(third gear) clutches from coming on just long enough to allow the 2nd gear band to get completely released. If your direct clutch pack has enough clearance,it might not need it. Blocking the accumulator piston gives you a firmer shift,changing to "D rings" gives you 0% leakage at the piston seals.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Mike,if you already installed a TF-2 kit, it should of had the orifice cup plug with it.How does the 2-3 shift feel? is there any "bind up" at all? Not all trannies need the cup plug,but 80% do. It delays the direct(third gear) clutches from coming on just long enough to allow the 2nd gear band to get completely released. If your direct clutch pack has enough clearance,it might not need it. Blocking the accumulator piston gives you a firmer shift,changing to "D rings" gives you 0% leakage at the piston seals.

Thanks. I do not recall putting the plug in. I had a rebuilt trans we did stock. Had a spare stock valve body we did the TF-2 to and just put the valve body in the trans. I've chirpped the 2-3 shift a few times, feels pretty darn good to me. Where would i find those D rings?

shifts pretty solid. 3.91 and a low gear set

http://s29.photobucket.com/albums/c298/goodysgota72/?action=view&current=1191d807.flv

http://s29.photobucket.com/albums/c298/goodysgota72/?action=view&current=100_0963.flv

[quagmire]

Yeah, I'm rebuilding my trans and was wondering where you get those D-rings too.  Also, what size is that cup plug? I'd imagine if it's a standard freeze plug size I could make one just by drilling it out.  I have a CRT valve body, and it came by itself without any parts for the accumulator or that orifice.  BTW, thanks for that core and those parts!  I should have it all done pretty soon.

[tactransman]

Where would i find those D rings?

Yeah, I'm rebuilding my trans and was wondering where you get those D-rings too.  Also, what size is that cup plug?

You can get the D rings from me if you want some,I see no one on-line that carries them.
Cup plug size is around .375, drill 5/32 hole in the middle of it.

[quagmire]

Is there any reason why standard O-rings wouldn't work?  I'd imagine with the accumulator blocked off so it wouldn't move they would seal fine as long as the fit is tight.  I guess I could try them and air check it to see if it seals properly.  How firm will the car shift with the accumulator blocked off?  Will it still be comfortable enough for a street car? 

[GoodysGotaCuda]

You can get the D rings from me if you want some,I see no one on-line that carries them.
Cup plug size is around .375, drill 5/32 hole in the middle of it.

I'll send ya a PM once i get back into town. We'll work somethin out 

[GoodysGotaCuda]

hey tactransman, is there anyway to make a tf-2 a full manual setup, like a tf-3 kit?

[tactransman]

I could tell you what to try.I copy the B&M Manual pack to make a "home made" manual valve body that works very well.

[tactransman]

[bb71challenger]

Looks like very good info 

[Grancoupe]

My understanding is a full manual tranny requires a torque converter with a stainless snout due to the stress on the converter? Is this correct?