Since I'm going to be changing my transmission filter soon anyway I guess I'm going to go ahead and order a shift kit tomorrow at my local auto parts store. Before I decide on which one to get please give me some suggestions. I have a C4 auto and I want something that is fairly cheap, improves shifting greatly, and most importantly is VERY easy to install with basic tools. Ease of installation is the most important factor. While I have some engine experience I have very little transmission experience. Also for changing the transmission filter what all will I need? Do I need anything other than the filter and some more fluid? Any special tools? Any unexpected surprises?
know for sure what year valve body you have. the filters change i think in 1970. the best kit is a Trans-Go. can get from most trans parts supply houses. fairly simple if you just follow the instructions.
Pay real close attention to where things are BEFORE and during disassembly. in the instructions for the B&M shift improver kit it says make sure you get the selector lever in the manual valve. There are more than a few places it will fit. Speaking from experience I didn't look close enough on disassembly and put it back in the wrong position and it would feel like it had all gears but the car wouldn't even move. All I had to do was tear it down and put lever back where it belonged and it worked fine but wouldn't have had to do any of it if I had paid more attention before I started. A friend installed a transgo kit in my next one and it shifted smoother than the B&M, firm but not harsh.
77mav: You said the Trans-Go was smoother, but which one do you think gave better performance? And was the B&M easy to install?
I like the transGo kit as well. The instructions are better than the b&m kits. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to put in a TransGo kit...they're easy. You just remove a couple springs and replace 'em, block a valve (in some cases) drill a hole and that's about it. That being said, we just build our own kit with a cotter key (or 7/32" dia steel ball) and a new filter & gasket. Sorry, don't have any instructions or any of that. The biggest downfall to teh weak-shifting C4 is the intermediate servo. The shift kit helps but there are other things you can do to improve it immensly. It's possible to make a C4 shift as hard & quick as a manual trans, or make it soft at part-throttle and firm at full-throttle as transgo kits are.
For what it's worth you would get a better 1-2 shift if you would change out your intermediat servo with an H servo......as for the kits transgo's are alright but you might see if you can locate a superior brand shift kit......I have installed a transgo stage 3 in my c-6 (full manual) valve body......I also bought a sonnex super servo and quick ratio arm......I'm trying to get the motor together this week and will finish up the tranny after......in my opinion it's all in what you want in the end.......fyi what ever you do kit wise....in the instructions it will have you change out the accumulator valve springs........for a firmer shift block the valve down instead it will give a much firmer shift.
I never did get the B&M kitted tranny to the track to get an accurate measure of performance, but the B&M just shifted harsh. Like BANGED from gear to gear under full throttle. The instructions are confusing 'cause right in the middle it will change subjects to "Pinto only" instructions and then you are doing steps that don't even pertain to your tranny. you would think with the amount of money B&M makes off of us they could afford to print an extra few pages to avoid confusion.
I used the B&M kit in my 77 and never had a moments problem with it. B&M also have a 1 -800 tech line and are very helpful. Mine shifts great too. Nice and firm but not so hard that i feels like its tearing something up. This was the first and only time I've ever done anything to an automatic.
I asked the guy that built my tranny (finally found him) what kind of kit he used, and it was a B&M. I have never had a problem. Shifts great! Earl
77, sounds like we had the exact same experiences. I was also confounded by the plastic factory plug that was laying in the pan when I took it apart. I had the thing apart three times before I got it right. Now I could do it in my sleep. I have a Trans-Go in my Mustang and overall I like it better.
