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Topic: Trans shift kits

in Forum: C3 Driveline Components


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Trans shift kits (1/13)
 9/24/08 10:04pm
indy99
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Newport, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1980 L-48 still in the middle of a frame-off.


Joined: 6/9/2005
Posts: 932

Has anybody installed a trans shift kit and are you happy with it and was it worth it?  I am looking at B&M 30262 TH-350 Shift Improvement Kit  it has 2 set-ups, one is heavy duty and the other is street/strip.

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Trans shift kits (2/13)
 9/24/08 10:40pm
cilrahLifetime Member
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Port Orchard, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Indy Pace Car 4851 of 6502, Auto, L-48


Joined: 6/20/2005
Posts: 4066

I honestly can't tell you what shift kit was installed in my Pacer when the TH350 was rebuilt but it shifts like a charm now.  I'm very happy with the transmissions performance since being rebuilt.

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Trans shift kits (3/13)
 9/25/08 12:59am
Gale Banks 80Lifetime Member
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1980 with a Banks Twin Turbo 1969 Convert Big Block 1996 Grand Sport Convert


Joined: 9/8/2005
Posts: 241

  Most Transmission Shops Prefer the Trans Go. However the B&M has the best Instructions. I used a B&M Street Strip in my 80" 350 when it was new and I really liked it. I took it to an old gas station that used to rent out there Lifts and just took normal hand Tools and Oil. Took a couple of Hours and I was good to go.

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Trans shift kits (4/13)
 9/26/08 1:12pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

My personal opinion is the B&M kits are WAAY overpriced/overhyped for the end results obtained. They just don't deliver the performance/durability of other kits.
I use TransGo kits for some applications, such as Police vehicles, and Heavy Dooty trucks that pull 20,000lbs MORE than they're rated for.
My personal favorite for your application is from Superior. Works great, and is somewhat adjustable for shift firmness.
As a second option, if ya really wanna get serious, try This one, also from Superior.(Superior owns the Fairbanks name)
I would stick with the first one for a street driver. The second one is more suited for drag racing...and splitting half-shafts, if the engine has enough poop to do it...

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Trans shift kits (5/13)
 9/26/08 9:31pm
custom76
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Naples, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1976 coupe with a custom body and a 396 big block with nitrous installed. Runs great!!


Joined: 2/26/2005
Posts: 133

Adams correct( as usual) on staying with the first,heavy duty, improvement kit. It will make a firm jump into the next gear but the street/strip will make it BANG into the next gear with neck snaping shifts. It is good for the strip but can be unpleasent on street.
Trans shift kits (6/13)
 9/26/08 10:04pm
williammoore2Lifetime Member
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Mundelein, IL - USA

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1978 25 anniversary blue on blue with T-tops.


Joined: 6/9/2008
Posts: 411

Well since this is the discussion I replaced my trans with another 350 that had a shift kit installed. It is fine when your eaasy on it but when you get on it you really hear it out of first and second is that normal? (I have never owned a vehicle with a shift kit so this is all new territory for me).

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Trans shift kits (7/13)
 9/26/08 10:07pm
custom76
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Naples, FL - USA

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1976 coupe with a custom body and a 396 big block with nitrous installed. Runs great!!


Joined: 2/26/2005
Posts: 133

How do you mean" hear it"? custom762008-09-26 19:09:42
Trans shift kits (8/13)
 9/26/08 10:36pm
williammoore2Lifetime Member
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Mundelein, IL - USA

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1978 25 anniversary blue on blue with T-tops.


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Its sortof a loud not grinding but something similar. I only does it on take off and when it goes into second. It sounds like shifting but is louder than the previous trans.

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Trans shift kits (9/13)
 9/26/08 10:50pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
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You mean like the tires chirping?
A normal "shift kit" should shift slightly firmer at normal throttle, such as normal driving, but get firmer/quicker as you mash the pedal harder...it should be nice and firm at full throttle.
If you are hearing a noise that wasn't there before, and you're sure it's not just the tires, you may want to check out the mounts...trans, engine, and diff. Any of the mounts, if soft, can cause a driveline mis-alignment, especially under heavy throttle.
You may have a diff mount that is allowing the front of the diff to raise up, and that might cause the driveshaft yoke to hit on the body...just something to check out.

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Trans shift kits (10/13)
 9/26/08 11:09pm
williammoore2Lifetime Member
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Mundelein, IL - USA

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1978 25 anniversary blue on blue with T-tops.


Joined: 6/9/2008
Posts: 411

I will jack the car up and do some lookin at the mounts. What is the best way to tell how one needs tto be replaced?

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Trans shift kits (11/13)
 9/27/08 1:22pm
aceintheholeLifetime Member
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Manteca, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed


Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623

CAUTION ! You may already be aware, but don't run the car with the rear wheels off the ground (in gear) as the half shaft angle is now extreme and can cause damage. Ouch Most mount damage can be detected visually.aceinthehole2008-09-27 10:24:11

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Trans shift kits (12/13)
 9/27/08 10:00pm
corvette440hpLifetime Member
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Check this link out: http://www.corvettemagazine.com/content/view/82/

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Trans shift kits (13/13)
 9/27/08 10:09pm
KDADDY79
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Dutchess County, NY - USA

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White '79 Corvette. It's a driver.


Joined: 8/27/2007
Posts: 2484

Mine has a B&M Shift Kit installed by the P.O.
It was the last thing he did to it before he let it sit and then selling it to me.
I really like the firmness of the shifts! It feels like I can control exactly when it's going to shift depending how hard I'm pushing it. Much more so than any other automatic I've driven.
It even gives a chirp now'n then. And that's with my L-48!
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